Security forces believe that two to three terrorists remain hidden in the dense forests of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. A large-scale search operation entered its third day on Friday, with security personnel deploying helicopters, drones, sniffer dogs, and additional troops to reinforce the cordon and intensify the manhunt. The operation began Wednesday evening after an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Kanzal Mandu forest area of the Kuchal-Chatroo belt, following intelligence about terrorist presence.
The terrorists opened fire upon spotting the search teams, leading to an ongoing gunfight as of the latest reports. In response, reinforcements were swiftly deployed to maintain a tight blockade and prevent any escape attempts. The group is believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit, with two top operatives Saifullah and Adil suspected to be among those hiding. This marks the second terror-related encounter in Jammu within a week; on June 26, security forces killed a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist in Udhampur’s Basantgarh area, while three others fled into nearby forests.
Authorities have expanded the search area into the rugged terrain of Chatroo and are utilizing all available surveillance and tracking resources to prevent the terrorists from slipping through the cordon. Security officials remain vigilant as the operation continues to neutralize the remaining threats in the region.
