“Months-long stay planned”: JeM bunker unearthed in J&K's Kishtwar encounter

Security forces have unearthed a heavily fortified winter bunker used by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in the high mountains of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district following an intense counter-terror operation. The hideout, carefully shielded with stone cover, was stocked with large quantities of food and essentials, indicating preparations for a prolonged stay lasting several months. The recovery came after a fierce encounter in which a Special Forces commando made the supreme sacrifice and several others were injured.

Reports said the bunker contained at least 50 packets of noodles, vegetables including tomatoes and potatoes, 15 types of spices, two bags of 10 kg basmati rice, daal, wheat, bajra, two full-size LPG cylinders, a burner and dry wood. The stockpile revealed a detailed winter survival plan, suggesting that the terrorists had established a long-term base in the rugged terrain.

The ongoing operation, codenamed Operation Trashi-I, was launched in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt after security forces established contact with terrorists on Sunday. During the encounter, terrorists hurled grenades, injuring eight soldiers, mostly due to splinter wounds. The operation was paused overnight because of difficult terrain and poor visibility, and resumed at first light on Monday.

A paratrooper who was critically injured in the gunfight later succumbed to his injuries, while another injured soldier, Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, also died during treatment at a military hospital in Jammu. Army, police and paramilitary forces have tightened the cordon in the area, with multiple teams, drones and sniffer dogs deployed to prevent the terrorists from escaping.

Officials said a group of two to three terrorists, believed to be affiliated with JeM, is still suspected to be hiding in the area. Security operations have been intensified ahead of Republic Day, with forces continuing search and combing operations in the forest belts of the Jammu region to flush out remaining militants and dismantle their support networks.