Two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists gunned down in J&K’s Kishtwar during joint operation

Two terrorists belonging to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday. The operation was carried out in the Chatroo area under Operation Trashi-I, following specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the region.

According to the Indian Army, joint teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force launched a search operation after receiving credible information from intelligence agencies. The encounter broke out around 10:30 am in the Passerkut area when the terrorists opened fire as troops closed in.

Security officials said one of the slain terrorists has been identified as Saifullah, a commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Two AK-47 rifles along with ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site, confirming the militants were heavily armed and prepared for a prolonged engagement.

The gunfight comes amid heightened counter-terror operations in the Chatroo forest belt, which has witnessed multiple encounters in recent weeks. Last month alone, nearly six gun battles were reported in the area, resulting in the death of a soldier and a terrorist. Security forces said search operations are continuing to ensure the region is completely sanitised.