Searches continue in Kishtwar, security forces monitoring ongoing anti-terror operation

Jammu, Jan 21: Unrelenting searches continued on the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday in Son Nar and adjoining areas of Chhatru in Kishtwar district which witnessed fierce exchange of gunfire between the security forces and terrorists on January 18, 2026.

Senior officers of Army, Police and other central agencies are monitoring the ongoing counter terrorist operation to hunt down the terrorists hiding in the treacherous heights.

Though heavy deployment of troops has been made in the area, well equipped with advanced surveillance equipment, drones and dog squad, to strengthen the cordon yet no contact has been established with the terrorists since January 18.

On Tuesday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu zone Bhim Sen Tuti joined by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jammu IG R Gopala Krishna Rao had also visited the encounter site.

The security forces have detained a few individuals for questioning, after a well-equipped terrorist hideout was busted on Monday, January 19, 2026 in the vicinity of the encounter site, to unearth the Over Ground Workers, who helped the terrorists in creating infrastructure in deep forests amid treacherous heights and replenishing it.

The gunfight on January 18 erupted after the security forces came under heavy fire and grenade attack by the hiding terrorists during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Son Nar forest stretch.

A group of two to three terrorists, believed to be affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad, was engaged in the gunfire in the ‘Operation Trashi’, being led by the personnel from Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and para special forces along with Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and other security agencies.

Eight soldiers sustained injuries in the grenade attack by the terrorists, out of whom one paratrooper – Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, besides ongoing combing operations in Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi districts, the security forces have launched multiple search operations and verification drives at different locations, particularly in and around sensitive installations, ahead of Republic Day, across Jammu province.

In Jammu district, the joint teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police and other para military forces on Wednesday conducted a stringent search and verification in Bhatindi and Rajiv Nagar area in Jammu city outskirts as part of surveillance drives to ensure peaceful conduct of Republic Day celebrations.