Top JeM Commander Saifullah Believed Trapped As Kishtwar Operation Enters Day 14

 Srinagar: Saifullah, a senior commander of the proscribed Jaish e Muhammad (JeM), is reportedly among the three to four militants currently trapped in the snow covered forests of Jammu and Kashmir’s eastern Kishtwar district, where security forces have tightened a cordon and resumed contact early on Saturday.

While official confirmation is awaited, one unverified report suggests that a militant may have been killed in the latest exchange of fire, and that three security personnel sustained injuries in the ongoing gunfight.

The encounter forms part of a large scale anti terror operation that has been under way since January 18 across the snowbound Chatroo belt, where a small, heavily armed group—suspected to be linked to the Pakistan based JeM—has repeatedly evaded capture. Over the past two weeks, the security grid has expanded significantly, deploying elite paratroopers, Rashtriya Rifles units, police teams, intelligence detachments, sniffer dogs, and extensive aerial surveillance. Troops have been conducting sweeping searches across rugged high altitude forests, tightening checkpoints and intensifying vehicle inspections throughout the district.

The operation—referred to by the Army’s 16 Corps- also called White Knight Corps -as Operation Trashi I—was triggered on January 18 after a fierce initial encounter in the dense Sonnar forest near Mandrel Singhpora. Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces came under heavy militant fire, leading to a prolonged gunbattle in which eight soldiers were injured, many by grenade splinters. One paratrooper, Havildar Gajendra Singh, later succumbed to his injuries, prompting further reinforcement and a broadened search.

Officials said the militants used grenades and indiscriminate automatic fire in an effort to break the cordon before retreating deeper into the thickly wooded, steep terrain under the cover of darkness.

Investigators probing the group’s support network said that the militants were caught off guard during the January 18 clash—allegedly while in the middle of eating biryani. This revelation prompted a deeper investigation into possible local facilitators. Security agencies detained around two dozen individuals for questioning to trace who delivered food to the hideout and whether a wider logistical chain is aiding the militants.

Police and Army teams are examining potential sympathisers, local communication routes, and supply channels that may have enabled the group to survive for an extended period in harsh terrain.

Fresh contact was re established on January 22, sparking another intense firefight. Additional brief encounters were reported the same day in the Singhpora forests and again on January 25 at Janseer Kandiwar, though the militants slipped away each time, taking advantage of deep snow, thick vegetation and complex terrain.

Security officials described the group as well armed, mobile, and prepared to use explosives to avoid encirclement. During the course of the searches, security forces reportedly discovered a militant hideout, though officials have not provided details of what may have been recovered from the site.

As a precautionary measure, and based on intelligence alerts regarding the potential misuse of high speed mobile data by hostile elements, the J&K Home Department ordered a temporary suspension of mobile internet services across a six kilometre radius of Singhpora, Chingam and Chatroo. The suspension—covering 2G through 5G—was first imposed on January 23 and extended until 11.59 pm on January 30 under the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024, following inputs from the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone. Officials described the step as necessary for maintaining public order and safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of India.

The operation entered its 14th day on Saturday, with security forces once again engaging the militants, this time in the Dolgam area- also referred to as Dolgam, Dicher along the Pir Panjal range. Heavy firing has been reported from the cordoned zone, where soldiers have been battling difficult conditions including deep snow and sub zero temperatures. Sources indicate that two to four militants—possibly including a high value Pakistani commander Saifullah—remain holed up. Three more jawans were injured in Saturday’s exchange of fire, in addition to casualties suffered earlier in the operation.

Helicopters, drones, thermal imaging devices and ground troops are now focused on a narrow stretch of forest where movement has reportedly been detected, the sources said.

Senior commanders, including those from the Army Northern Command, are monitoring the situation closely as the security grid attempts to tighten the final ring.

Officials believe the militants have been in intermittent contact with handlers across the border, underscoring the broader counter terror concerns driving security operations in the region.