Saifullah group eliminated, operations to continue: IGP Jammu

Jammu, Feb 23: Inspector General of Police Jammu zone Bhim Sen Tuti on Monday stated that the group of 7 Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, known as “Israel group” led-by Saifullah was eliminated in Chhatru area of Kishtwar yet the operations against the terrorists operating elsewhere would continue with renewed momentum.

IGP Jammu was addressing a press conference jointly with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) CIF(D) Maj Gen APS Bal in Kishtwar on Monday, February 23, 2026.

“This group basically comprised 7 terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which infiltrated into Indian territory in April, 2024 (2025). Since then, this group had been engaged on 17 occasions. And over the period of the last one-and-a-half years, we’re able to neutralize all the seven terrorists. Yesterday it was the culmination of one-and-a-half year long (string of) operation(s),” IGP Tuti stated.

“This group used to be known as “Israel group” of hardcore terrorists. It (group) inflicted heavy damage to security forces and the civilians. As GOC stated, the security worked very hard, with a steely determination, to neutralize this group,” he revealed.

IGP mentioned that on Sunday, February 22, 2026, on a precise input, the final three members of the group, including their commander Saifullah were neutralized in Chhatru area of Kishtwar.

“This operation will continue as we have a long way to cover. In the times to come, we anticipate more such operations with good results. This war (against terrorism) will continue till the complete annihilation of the terror network. Simultaneously, our operations at the non-kinetic front are also continuing. In the days to come, you will also see stringent actions against all those individuals who gave shelter to this group here to dismantle the entire network of their (terrorists’) accomplices, supporters,” IGP said.

He said as far as non-kinetic operations were concerned, they were being pursued in an unrelenting manner at present.

“They will be further bolstered in the days to completely annihilate the terror support network, ecosystem,” IGP Tuti asserted.

In response to a question, IGP informed that three local terrorists were presently operating in Kishtwar.

“They have been active for the past around two decades. During 2018 to 2020, some new recruits had joined the terror network yet they were neutralised,” he said.

IGP Jammu asserted that the terrorists would never succeed in their nefarious designs as people were standing with the forces, with the country.

“This is evident from the successful operations where intelligence inputs come from our people,” he stated.