Kashmir: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the upper reaches of a remote forest area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, leaving eight security personnel injured, officials said.
According to the Army, troops responded effectively to heavy firing by terrorists under challenging conditions and displayed exceptional courage during the exchange. Eight personnel sustained injuries in the gunfight.
Sources said that three of the injured soldiers were airlifted to the Udhampur Army Hospital for specialised treatment, while the condition of the others is reported to be stable.
The operation was launched after police and security agencies received specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area. Following the input, a large-scale search operation was initiated and additional troops were deployed to cordon off the region.
The Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X that security forces came under fire while moving towards the general area of Sonar, northeast of Chhatru. The troops immediately retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Officials said the encounter initially began on Sunday in the upper forest areas of Kishtwar district. Additional forces have been rushed to the spot to strengthen the cordon and neutralise the terrorists.
The firing started around noon near Sonar village in the Mandral–Singhpora area of the Chhatru belt during a joint cordon and search operation. The Army termed the action “Operation Trashi-I”, being carried out jointly with the Jammu and Kashmir Police as part of an ongoing counter-terrorism drive.
“The operation is continuing with additional troops to tighten the cordon, with close coordination between the civil administration and security agencies,” the Army said.
Officials added that one of the search teams encountered a group of two to three foreign terrorists, who are suspected to be linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. The operation is still underway, and further details are awaited.
