Jammu: A massive search operation by security forces is underway in the dense forests of Chatroo in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district to track down a group of terrorists who remain at large. Eight soldiers were injured after terrorists opened fire during an encounter on Sunday.
According to officials, contact with the terrorists was established in the forests near Baigpura village of Chatroo on Sunday, following which a heavy exchange of fire took place. In the gunfight, eight soldiers sustained injuries and were immediately evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.
Following the encounter, additional reinforcements were rushed to the area and a cordon was established to trap the terrorists. The operation continued until late evening but had to be suspended due to darkness. The search operation resumed early Monday morning.
An official said that the operation is proving challenging due to dense forest cover, thick vegetation and natural hideouts in the area, which are giving an advantage to the terrorists. “Efforts are being made to track them, but the terrain is slowing down the operation,” the official added.
The Chatroo area of Kishtwar district has remained a target for terrorist activity over the past two years. Security forces have established contact with terrorists on multiple occasions, achieving partial success, though militants have often managed to escape.
Besides Kishtwar, the districts of Kathua, Doda and Udhampur have also witnessed terrorist infiltration from the Pakistani side via the International Border.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X that contact was established with terrorists in the general area of Son Nar, northeast of Chhatru, during a joint counter-terror operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Army stated that troops displayed exceptional professionalism while responding to hostile fire and that the operation remains underway with additional forces reinforcing the cordon.
