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A fierce gunbattle erupted in the rugged hills of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Monday afternoon, leaving seven Indian Army soldiers injured and triggering a large-scale counter-terror operation in one of the region’s most challenging terrains. The encounter, which unfolded in the remote Chatroo area, underscores the growing security concerns in the Jammu region, where militant activity has shown signs of resurgence after years of relative calm.
According to security sources, the injured soldiers were part of a joint search operation when they came under sudden and intense fire from terrorists hiding in dense forest cover. Despite the surprise attack and difficult terrain, the troops responded swiftly, engaging the terrorists and ensuring that their injured colleagues were evacuated safely to a nearby military medical facility. All seven soldiers are reported to be in stable condition.
The operation, officially named Operation Trashi-I by the Indian Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps, began around noon following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed militants in the area. The search was being conducted in the general area of Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, as part of coordinated counter-terror exercises involving the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the White Knight Corps confirmed contact with terrorists during the operation and said that additional forces had been inducted to reinforce the cordon. “Operations remain underway with additional troops being deployed. Close coordination is being maintained with civil administration and other security agencies,” the Army said, while praising the troops for their professionalism and resolve under hostile fire and harsh conditions.
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Officials familiar with the operation said one of the search teams encountered a group of two to three foreign terrorists, suspected to be affiliated with Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The militants reportedly opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades in a desperate attempt to break through the security cordon. The exchange of fire continued intermittently as troops tightened their grip around the area to prevent the terrorists from escaping.
Reinforcements from the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and local police units were rushed to the site, effectively sealing off the forested stretch. Advanced surveillance tools, including drones and thermal imaging equipment, were deployed to track terrorist movement, while sniffer dogs were pressed into service to detect hideouts and possible escape routes.
The terrain around Chatroo presents significant operational challenges. Steep slopes, thick foliage, and limited visibility often give militants an advantage, particularly during winter months when fog and low temperatures slow down movement. Security officials said the injured soldiers were hit during the initial exchange of fire, highlighting the risks involved in search-and-destroy missions in such areas.
This encounter marks the third major gunfight in the Jammu region this year, reflecting a worrying pattern for security agencies. Earlier this month, encounters were reported in the Kahog and Najote forest areas of Kathua district’s Billawar region on January 7 and January 13, respectively. While no casualties were reported in those incidents, they reinforced concerns that terror groups are attempting to re-establish footholds in the region’s forest belts.
The Kishtwar operation also comes against the backdrop of a deadly gunfight in December last year, when a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Udhampur district. In that incident, militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness and dense vegetation, prompting intensified combing operations across multiple districts.
Security agencies believe the renewed militant activity is linked to efforts by Pakistan-based handlers to push terrorists into the Jammu region, exploiting its difficult terrain and relatively lower troop density compared to the Kashmir Valley. Intelligence inputs suggest that small, well-trained groups are being tasked with creating disturbances, targeting security forces, and reviving sleeper networks.
In response, security forces launched a massive counter-terror operation in December across forested areas of Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, and Udhampur. Nearly three dozen terrorists are believed to be hiding in these belts, prompting sustained surveillance and frequent search operations. The drive has been further intensified ahead of Republic Day celebrations, with officials determined to prevent any major attack.
Local residents in Chatroo and nearby villages have been advised to stay indoors and cooperate with security forces as the operation continues. Temporary restrictions on movement have been imposed in certain areas to ensure civilian safety and allow troops to conduct searches without hindrance.
Senior security officials said the ongoing operation reflects a shift in counter-terror strategy, focusing on pre-emptive action rather than reactive responses. “The idea is to deny terrorists safe havens and disrupt their logistics before they can strike,” an official said, adding that joint operations between the Army, police, and central forces have improved intelligence-sharing and response time.
As Operation Trashi-I continues, the focus remains on neutralising the terrorists while ensuring the safety of troops and civilians. The injuries to seven soldiers serve as a stark reminder of the dangers faced daily by security forces in the line of duty — and the persistent threat that militancy continues to pose in Jammu and Kashmir’s remote hinterlands.
