Jammu: A fresh exchange of fire broke out late Sunday night between security forces and terrorists in the remote forested region of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, officials confirmed, marking the third such confrontation in the area within a week.
The latest incident unfolded around 10.20 pm in the Janseer-Kandiwar forests, where a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police was carrying out a focused search operation. As the forces advanced through the dense terrain, they came under fire, triggering an intermittent gun battle that continued for several hours.
Security agencies believe the group involved comprises three Pakistani militants associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit. The operation is part of an ongoing manhunt launched after an initial clash on January 18 in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora, during which a paratrooper lost his life and seven soldiers sustained injuries.
Despite the severe winter conditions and heavy snowfall in the Chatroo belt, troops have maintained relentless pressure on the militants. After slipping away from the first encounter by exploiting thick foliage and rugged mountain slopes, the group was intercepted again on January 22, only to evade capture once more.
Officials said that search efforts have continued unabated even as more than two feet of snow blanketed the region, complicating movement and visibility. Additional forces have been deployed to seal off potential escape routes, while aerial surveillance and ground intelligence inputs are being used to track the terrorists’ movements.
Authorities said the operation will persist until the militants are neutralised, underlining that the challenging terrain and harsh weather will not deter security forces from ensuring the safety and stability of the region.
