Encounter underway in Kishtwar

Jammu, Aug 10: Security forces and terrorists Sunday exchanged fire as a fierce encounter broke out in the forested stretch of Dul area in Kishtwar district.

The encounter began as the security forces established contact with the terrorists during a search operation launched early Sunday morning following intelligence input about the presence of terrorists in the dense forests of Dul area.

The hiding terrorists opened fire on security forces who retaliated in equal measure, thus ensuing exchange of gunfire.

Reports suggested that there were two Pakistani terrorists caught in the cordon, however, there was no official confirmation to it (number of terrorists and identity).

Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed only upto the extent of contact with the terrorists and ongoing encounter.

“Alert Indian Army troops while carrying out an intelligence based operation have established contact with terrorists in the general area of Dul in Kishtwar in the early hours of 10 Aug 2025. Gunfire exchanged. Operation under progress,”

White Knight Corps posted on its ‘X’ handle with a tagline “Contact with terrorists” and a picture, purportedly, of the area, where the encounter is underway.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the Police, in a massive crackdown on the terror ecosystem in Kishtwar district, conducted coordinated surprise raids on multiple locations linked to active terrorists currently operating from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on August 9.

Police said that the raids were part of its relentless drive against terrorism and a sustained counter-terror strategy across Jammu and Kashmir aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, Over Ground Workers (OGWs) network and severing logistical support channels to anti-national elements.

As per officials, searches were conducted at around 26 locations, including the house of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Jehangir Saroori.

“The raids were carried out on the directions of SSP Kishtwar, Naresh Singh and executed under the close supervision of Additional SP Kishtwar, Pardeep Singh Goria. Multiple police teams were deployed simultaneously across Kishtwar, Chatroo, Dachhan, and Atholi, targeting hideouts and residential premises of terrorists and their associates,” Police said.

The raids, Police said, were aimed at disrupting the local support network for cross-border terrorists, gathering actionable intelligence related to anti-national activities and sending a strong deterrent message to individuals or groups engaged in supporting or sheltering such elements.

“During the searches, police teams examined targetted premises for electronic devices, documents, and other material evidence linked to terror financing, radicalization and cross-border communication. We remain firmly committed to ensuring the peace, stability, and security of the district. Any person found involved in aiding or harbouring terrorists will face strict legal action,” SSP Kishtwar stated, reiterating the force’s zero-tolerance stance against terrorism.

On Friday, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had carried out searches in the houses of Pakistan-based terrorists in Doda. Police said that the searches were carried out at the houses of Pakistan-based terrorists, across fifteen locations in Doda district as part of a massive clampdown on the terror ecosystem in the sub-region. These 15 locations, according to Police, were spread in the Bhaderwah, Gandoh, Thathri and Kastigarh areas of District Doda.

“All these J&K citizens from the district are operating from Pakistan and are helping the existing foreign terrorists active here in providing them logistics and other support through their contacts here,” Police said.