In a significant counter-terror success, security forces neutralised two high-ranking commanders of the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) during an intense gunbattle in the Chatroo forest area of Kishtwar district in the early hours of Sunday.
The operation, codenamed Operation Trashi-I, was jointly carried out by the White Knight Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Officials described the mission as a major tactical success that dismantled a terror module active in the Chenab Valley for several months.
According to security sources, search operations had been underway in the snow-clad Chatroo forest belt for the past 15 days following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of a foreign terror module.
The gunfight erupted when joint teams launched a coordinated search operation in the rugged, high-altitude terrain. As forces zeroed in on a suspected mud house being used as a temporary hideout, the terrorists opened heavy fire.
Army drones proved pivotal in the operation. High-resolution aerial footage captured three terrorists attempting to shift positions under the cover of dense forest. Two of them were reportedly injured in the initial exchange of fire but managed to retreat into rocky terrain.
Security forces responded with calibrated and precise firepower, successfully neutralising one terrorist on the spot. He was later identified by the J&K Police as a Pakistani national affiliated with a proscribed terror outfit.
Saifullah Baloch Among the Trapped
Initial reports indicate that one of the trapped terrorists was Saifullah Baloch, a top JeM commander known for his expertise in high-altitude warfare and recruitment operations. Baloch, a Pakistani national, had been on the most wanted list of security agencies for years.
While authorities have confirmed the killing of two top commanders, formal identification is still underway due to the charred condition of the bodies.
“The neutralisation of these two commanders is a massive setback to JeM’s plans to destabilise the region. We are verifying whether Saifullah Baloch is among the deceased,” a senior security official said.
During the encounter, a nomadic hut where the terrorists were hiding caught fire. Two charred bodies were later recovered from the site.
The encounter site is marked by steep slopes, dense forest cover, and extreme weather conditions, providing natural concealment for militants. Security forces established a multi-layered cordon and used advanced surveillance technology to monitor every movement within the operational zone.
Officials stated that the operation was conducted with extreme caution to prevent collateral damage.
Rising Terror Activity in Kishtwar
Kishtwar district has witnessed a noticeable spike in terror-related activities over recent months. This latest operation follows a series of encounters in the Chatroo belt, including a January operation in which a Special Forces soldier laid down his life.
Security agencies believe the elimination of a foreign terrorist and the dismantling of this module will significantly dent the recruitment and logistical networks of handlers operating from across the border.
Search operations in the area are ongoing to rule out the presence of any additional militants.
