3 terrorists killed in operation in J&K’s Kishtwar, war-like stores & 2 AK-47 rifles recovered | India News

Three terrorists from the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday, officials said. The terrorists’ bodies were charred beyond recognition after the mud house they were hiding in caught fire during the gunfight. Preliminary assessments suggest that one of the deceased is Saifullah, a notorious JeM commander who reportedly infiltrated the region nearly five years ago and was involved in several deadly attacks on security forces, including an assault in July 2024 that killed four soldiers. Saifullah had survived multiple encounters in the past, news agency PTI reported. Officials confirmed that the body of a third terrorist, along with a weapon, was recovered from the destroyed hideout in the evening. The White Knight Corps wrote on X, “In continued operations under Op Trashi-I in Kishtwar, troops of CIF (D) White Knight Corps, in coordination with J&K Police and CRPF, have neutralised the third terrorist. The remains and the weapon of the terrorist have been recovered.” Earlier, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma commended the White Knight Corps for their “swift and precise” action in neutralising the terrorists. “The Army Commander commends the commanders and troops on ground for their persistence in challenging terrain and weather conditions. Northern Command remains committed to ensuring a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir,” the Army said in a post on X. The terrorists were eliminated during the “Trashi-I” operation near Passerkut in the Chatroo belt, where two AK-47 rifles and ammunition were seized. According to the White Knight Corps, the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs from Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and their own sources. “Following successful contact established earlier, troops of CIF (Counter-Intelligence Force) Delta, in close coordination with police and CRPF, re-engaged the terrorists at approximately 11 am in challenging terrain,” the Army said. “Displaying tactical precision, seamless synergy, and resolute aggression, the troops dominated the encounter site. The hunt continues — those who seek to disturb peace will find no sanctuary.“ Officials said the terrorists opened fire from inside the mud house as search parties approached, triggering an intense gunfight. The house eventually caught fire and was destroyed. Intelligence inputs suggested the presence of Saifullah and two Pakistani terrorist associates. The Chatroo forest belt has seen nearly half-a-dozen gunfights between terrorists and security forces since January 18, resulting in one soldier and one Pakistani terrorist killed. With Sunday’s operation, a total of seven JeM terrorists have been eliminated in separate encounters in Jammu this year. Previously, two terrorists were killed in the Ramanagar forest in Udhampur on February 4, and another terrorist was neutralised in Parhetar village of Kathua on January 23, reported news agency PTI. Meanwhile, a truck driver was detained in Samba district after Pakistani contact numbers were found on his mobile phone during a routine check. The truck was en route to Kashmir, and further investigation is ongoing, officials said.