Security Forces Tighten Cordon As Operation Intensifies

 Srinagar: A fresh clash erupted in the wooded Singhpura–Chatroo belt of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday as security forces re established contact with a group of Islamic militants after a tense three day lull.

Officials said the renewed gunfight began early in the morning when troops, acting on fresh intelligence inputs, intensified their search in the dense forests of the region. The militants, believed to be hiding in the rugged, heavily wooded terrain, opened fire as the forces closed in, triggering a fierce exchange that continued for hours.

The latest confrontation marks the continuation of an operation that first began at the weekend, when an encounter in the same area claimed the life of a paratrooper Havildar Gajendra Singh and left seven soldiers injured. The militants had managed to slip away under the cover of thick vegetation and steep slopes, prompting security forces to launch an extensive cordon and search operation across the higher reaches of Chatroo. Additional reinforcements were rushed in, and the area has remained under tight surveillance ever since.

The encounter that led to these casualties had unfolded in the mountainous forests of a region that has seen a worrying uptick in militant activity in recent months. During the ongoing operation, security forces also uncovered a suspected militant hideout, though officials have not yet disclosed what was recovered from the site.

January 18 gun battle at Singhpura had been particularly intense, leaving eight soldiers—including a Junior Commissioned Officer—injured. Three critically wounded personnel were airlifted for specialised treatment. Officials said many injuries resulted from grenades hurled by militants as they attempted to break the tightening security cordon. The firefight erupted after troops, acting on credible intelligence, launched a deliberate search operation in the rugged hills. As the cordon closed in, militants opened heavy fire, leading to a prolonged exchange that lasted several hours.

Officials believed the group includes two to three foreign militants linked to the Pakistan based Jaish e Muhammad (JeM). The militants reportedly fired indiscriminately and lobbed multiple grenades in a desperate attempt to break free, but security forces maintained a firm grip on the area.

Operations were paused overnight to avoid collateral damage, though a strict cordon remained in place to prevent any movement under the cover of darkness. At first light on Monday, the search resumed with renewed intensity. Elite PARAtroopers, Rashtriya Rifles units, aerial surveillance teams, and sniffer dogs were deployed to sweep the vast forested expanse. Security was tightened across the district, with checkpoints and vehicle inspections intensified.

Several people have been detained for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation, officials said. According to security sources, the militants were reportedly in the middle of eating biryani when security forces unexpectedly closed in on their location, catching them off guard.

The incident has prompted a deeper probe into the support network aiding the group. Police, along with the Army and other security agencies, are now working to identify who supplied the biryani and whether it points to a larger logistical chain assisting the militants. Investigators are examining local links, possible sympathisers, and any facilitation routes that may have enabled the delivery of food to the hideout.