The Impressive TimesJ&K : In a significant development in the ongoing anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces have neutralized three terrorists in the dense Chatroo forest area of Kishtwar district. The encounter, which began earlier this week, continues to remain active as forces maintain a strong vigil across the region.
The gunfight initially broke out on Wednesday after security forces detected suspicious movement in the forested terrain of Chatroo. Acting swiftly, personnel launched a combing operation, resulting in initial contact with the terrorists. However, the militants managed to flee deep into the forest, triggering a search and pursuit mission across the rugged hilly terrain.
Fresh contact was established early Thursday morning, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire between the hiding militants and security forces. In the ensuing gun battle, three terrorists were eliminated. A substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including assault rifles, grenades, and war-like stores, has been recovered from the site of the encounter, indicating that the group may have been planning a major strike.
Sources in the security establishment suggest that the operation is far from over. Security forces have now widened their surveillance and combing operations to the neighboring Bhaderwah area in the Doda district. Intelligence inputs indicate that terrorists may be attempting to move across forest corridors between Kishtwar and Doda to evade capture.
“The forest cover and mountainous terrain in this part of the Jammu region present operational challenges, but we are determined to sanitize the area completely,” said a senior officer involved in the operation.
The identity and affiliations of the slain terrorists are yet to be confirmed. However, officials suspect they were part of a freshly infiltrated module tasked with reviving militancy in the Jammu division, particularly in the otherwise relatively peaceful Kishtwar-Doda belt.
Security agencies have intensified search operations, and reinforcements have been sent to sensitive areas. Drone surveillance and aerial reconnaissance are also being employed to detect further movement and possible hideouts.
The incident marks the latest in a series of counter-terrorism actions in the Jammu region, where security forces have recently been on high alert due to increased attempts at infiltration and regrouping of militants.
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