Jammu, Jan 18 (JKNS): Security forces exchanged heavy gunfire with terrorists in a remote forested area of Kishtwar district on Sunday, leaving three Army soldiers injured, officials said.
The encounter broke out around noon in the general area of Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate search operation launched as part of joint counter-terror efforts by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The operation has been code-named ‘Operation Trashi-I’ by the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps.
In a post on X, as per news agency JKNS, the White Knight Corps said the troops established contact with terrorists during the search operation and came under hostile fire in difficult terrain and weather conditions.
“Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said, while commending the troops for their professionalism and resolve.
Officials said one of the search teams encountered a group of two to three foreign terrorists, suspected to be affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and hurled grenades in an attempt to break the cordon, prompting a strong retaliation from the security forces.
Reinforcements from the Army, CRPF and police were rushed to the area to tighten the cordon. Intermittent firing continued for some time between the two sides, officials said.
During the exchange, three soldiers sustained splinter injuries and were evacuated to hospital for treatment. Their condition is stated to be stable.
A massive search operation is continuing in the area to track down and neutralise the terrorists. Drones, sniffer dogs and other advanced surveillance equipment have been deployed to intensify the operation.
This is the third encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Earlier, encounters were reported in the Kahog and Najote forest areas of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.
Security forces have further intensified counter-terror operations across the Jammu region ahead of Republic Day celebrations in view of heightened security alerts, officials added. (JKNS)
