Terrorist Hunt Continues in J&K’s Kishtwar After Gunbattle
Search op launched after encounter with JeM terrorists; drones, sniffer dogs deployed
SRINAGAR: The security forces have intensified operations to neutralize terrorists known to have been trapped in the wooded Kanzal Mandu area of Jammu and Kashmir’s eastern Kishtwar district. One Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) gunman is believed to have been injured in the exchange of fire.
A spokesman of Indian Army’s Nagrota (Jammu)-based 16 Corps-also known as White Knight Corps- had said on Wednesday that the operation was launched jointly by it, J&K police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) based on specific intelligence. “Contact has been established with the terrorists and operations are in progress,” the spokesman had said.
The security forces officials said that two to three terrorists are hiding in the densely wooded Kanzal Mandu area of Kishwar’s Kuchal-Chatroo belt. They said that the operations are being backed by drones and sniffer dogs, with the cordon further strengthened by additional reinforcements including Army’s Para commandos early Thursday.
The ongoing operations follow a pattern of heightened security measures, as seen in a May 22 encounter in Singhpora, Chatroo, where two terrorists were killed, but one soldier lost his life during Operation Trashi.
The operation involved elite Para Commandos, Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF, targeting 3-4 JeM militants. Kishtwar has seen recurrent terror incidents, including the killing of two Village Defence Group members by ‘Kashmir Tigers’ which the police claims is a shadow group of the proscribed JeM in November 2024. These efforts are part of a broader response to increased terror activities in the region, particularly after the April 22, Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
Meanwhile, the J&K police together with the Central security forces on Thursday arrested two alleged terrorist associates from Wagad area falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Tral in southern Pulwama district and recovered explosive substance, ammunition from their possession.
A statement issued by the police said, “Police Awantipora along with Army (42 Rashtriya Rifles) and CRPF (180 Battalion) at a checkpoint established at Wagad crossing, arrested two terrorist associates. They have been identified as Umer Mohi-ud-Din Bhat and Shakeel Ahmad Sheikh.” It added that during the search, explosive substance, ammunition including two hand grenades, 59 live rounds of AK-47, one AK 47 magazine and incriminating material were recovered.
