Jammu and Kashmir: Three JeM terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Kishtwar

Srinagar: A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad was among three terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in the hilly Chatroo area of Kishtwar district on Sunday, marking a significant blow to militant networks operating south of the Pir Panjal range.

Officials said preliminary assessments suggest that one of the slain was Saifullah, a senior JeM commander who had allegedly infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir nearly five years ago and remained active since.

He is suspected to have masterminded several deadly attacks on security forces, including a July 2024 strike in which four soldiers were killed. Saifullah had reportedly evaded multiple earlier operations.

The gunfight broke out in the dense forests of Passerkut-Chatroo after a joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces launched a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs. As the forces closed in on a mud house where the militants were believed to be hiding, the terrorists opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange.

Reinforcements were rushed to seal off escape routes in the rugged terrain. During the encounter, the mud structure caught fire and was gutted. Officials said the bodies of the three militants were charred beyond recognition and are being formally identified. Two AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the site.

The Army said the terrorists were neutralised during “Operation Trashi-I” in the general area of Passerkut. Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma commended the White Knight Corps for what he described as “swift and precise” action in difficult terrain and weather conditions. In a post on X, the Army said the Northern Command remains committed to ensuring a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.

They said two AK-47 rifles and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site, indicating the presence of a well-armed group.

Quoting preliminary information, the officials said the slain terrorists are Pakistani nationals and members of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit.

The Army's White Knight Corps posted on X: “Displaying tactical precision, seamless synergy and resolute aggression, troops dominated the encounter site wherein two terrorists have been successfully neutralized.”

The Kishtwar operation marks another flashpoint in a pattern of escalating terror activity in the Jammu region. Traditionally viewed as more peaceful compared to Kashmir, Jammu has seen a spate of clashes between terrorists and security forces over the past two years, with several encounters reported in Kishtwar, Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and other districts.

Security assessments indicate that terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba and their affiliates have exploited remote forested terrain south of the Pir Panjal range to regroup and launch attacks, complicating counter-insurgency operations. Experts have noted an increase in cross-border infiltration attempts and ambushes in areas long considered relatively stable.

In 2024 and 2025, terrorism also manifested in high-profile attacks, including the Reasi pilgrimage ambush that left nine dead, underscoring the reach of terror networks beyond the Valley.

Security forces have intensified coordinated intelligence-led operations across the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, deploying additional troops, drones and surveillance resources to deny militants safe havens. Officials said these efforts aim to preempt infiltrations and dismantle terror networks rather than merely respond to individual incidents.

The encounter in Kishtwar continues, with forces tightening the perimeter in rugged terrain to ensure no terrorist slips through the cordon.