New Delhi: Seven Indian Army personnel were injured on Sunday during an ongoing counter terror operation in the remote and rugged terrain of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. The injuries were sustained when security forces engaged terrorists who were hiding in the Chatroo area during a search operation.
The encounter broke out around noon after troops came under fire while carrying out a deliberate combing exercise in the general area of Sonnar, located northeast of Chatroo. The operation, named Operation Trashi I, is being led by the Army’s Jammu based formation in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. According to officials, the soldiers immediately retaliated after being fired upon and successfully ensured the evacuation of the injured personnel to a nearby hospital.
Security forces believe the terrorists involved are foreign nationals linked to the Pakistan based Jaish e Mohammad outfit. During the exchange, the attackers allegedly opened indiscriminate fire and hurled grenades in an attempt to breach the security cordon. The forces responded strongly, following which reinforcements from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force, and local police were rushed to the area to strengthen the perimeter.
Intermittent firing continued for some time as forces tightened the cordon to prevent the terrorists from escaping. Advanced surveillance tools, including drones and sniffer dogs, have been deployed to track movement in the dense forested region and speed up the operation. Authorities said challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain are adding to the complexity of the mission.
Security officials said the operation remains underway with additional troops inducted to reinforce the area. Close coordination is being maintained with civil administration and other security agencies to ensure effective containment. The armed forces praised the personnel involved for their professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under demanding conditions.
This marks the third encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Earlier, gunfights were reported in the Kahog and Najote forest areas of the Billawar sector in Kathua district earlier this month. In December last year, a police officer was killed during a separate encounter in Udhampur, where terrorists managed to flee under cover of darkness.
The recent incidents follow an intensified counter terror campaign launched in the forest belts of Jammu region late last year to neutralize multiple infiltrators. Security operations have been further stepped up ahead of Republic Day in view of heightened threat perceptions and intelligence inputs indicating attempts to push more terrorists across the border.
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