Massive Search Operation Continues for Third Day in Kishtwar After Chhatroo Encounter

Massive Search Operation Continues for Third Day in Kishtwar After Chhatroo Encounter
Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir: A large-scale search operation by security forces entered its third consecutive day on Saturday in the Chhatroo area of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, following an encounter with terrorists. The fierce gunfight, which began on Thursday, tragically resulted in the martyrdom of one Army soldier, Sepoy Gaykar Sandip Pandurang.
The encounter was triggered when a joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the forested region of Singhpora-Chatroo, acting on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists. During the initial exchange of fire on Thursday, three soldiers sustained injuries, with Sepoy Pandurang succumbing to his wounds despite medical efforts.
While initial contact was established with the terrorists, believed to be a group of three to five Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants, including a top commander identified as Saifullah (a Pakistani national), fresh contact has not been made since. Sources suggest the terrorists might have split into smaller groups to evade capture.
Security forces have intensified their efforts, deploying additional troops, drones, and other electronic gadgets to scour the dense forest areas of Singhpora and adjoining Chatroo. The entire area has been sealed off, and reinforcements have been brought in to maintain the cordon and prevent any escape. Senior officers from the Police, Army, and CRPF are camping at the encounter site to ensure effective coordination of the ongoing operation.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat visited Kishtwar on Thursday to review the anti-terror operation and assess the ground situation. The ongoing operation, codenamed ‘Operation Trashi’, aims to neutralize the hiding terrorists.
This encounter follows recent anti-terror operations in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Shopian and Tral, where a total of six terrorists were neutralized. The Chhatroo encounter has prompted a coordinated effort across multiple districts, with security forces tightening vigilance along the Pir Panjal ridgelines and appealing to the local population to report any suspicious movement.