A relentless search operation by a joint team of security forces to track down a group of Pakistani terrorists hiding in the dense forests of Kishtwar district has entered its third day on Friday, with officials reporting no let-up in their efforts to neutralise the threat.
The operation was launched on Wednesday evening after intelligence inputs confirmed the presence of terrorists in the rugged, forested terrain of Kuchal, a remote area in Kishtwar known for its challenging topography.
According to officials, the terrorists, believed to be two to three in number and affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), opened fire upon noticing the approaching security forces, triggering a gun battle that has continued intermittently.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the group of terrorists may have managed to escape, taking advantage of the dense forest area after one of the terrorists was injured in the firing. According tos ground reports, there has been no fresh exchange of fire in the area since Thursday.
At the same time, the security forces have intensified their operations to neutralise the terrorists. The security forces also have expanded their search across the Chatroo forest region, deploying advanced surveillance tools, including helicopters, drones, and sniffer dogs, to track the hiding group of terrorists.
Additional troops have been inducted to strengthen the multi-tier cordon, ensuring the terrorists remain trapped within the area.
“The cordon has been further reinforced, and the search has been widened to ensure the terrorists cannot escape,” an official stated, emphasizing the forces’ determination to eliminate the threat.
This operation marks the second significant encounter in the Jammu region within a week. On June 26, 2025, security forces engaged a group of JeM terrorists in the Basantgarh belt of Udhampur district, killing one Pakistan-based terrorist.
However, three of his associates managed to evade capture, retreating into the dense forests, underscoring the challenges posed by the region’s terrain, which infiltrators have long exploited as a traditional route from the International Border in Kathua to Doda, Kishtwar, and the Kashmir Valley.