Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir), April 11: A terrorist was neutralised by the Indian Army during a fierce gunfight in the Chhatru forest area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, the Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed on Friday. The operation was carried out jointly with the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) following specific intelligence inputs.
“Op Chhatru: Based on specific intelligence, a joint search and destroy operation was launched on April 9 in Chhatru forest, Kishtwar. Contact was established late evening. The terrorists were effectively engaged and a firefight ensued. One terrorist has thus far been neutralised,” the Army said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite adverse weather and hostile terrain, security forces have continued relentless operations in the region. The joint combing operation was also extended into the Udhampur district, where security forces believe two to three more terrorists may still be hiding.
Udhampur SSP Amod Ashok Nagpure noted that the location is extremely challenging due to dense forests, steep mountains, and deep gorges, complicating search efforts.
“We have information that two to three terrorists are hiding in this jungle. The area is highly inaccessible. The search operation is ongoing,” Nagpure said.
The encounter initially broke out during a joint search mission by JKP and Army personnel in Jopher village, under Ramnagar Police Station limits. To prevent the terrorists from escaping, the area was immediately cordoned off, and efforts to flush out the remaining militants continue.
DIG Ramban Shridhar Patil, overseeing Kishtwar and Doda Range, personally visited the Chhatru region on Thursday to assess the operation.
As snow melts in the high-altitude meadows often used by militants for infiltration, the Army has heightened surveillance and increased troop deployment in vulnerable zones, particularly in Bhaderwah and along National Highway 44 (NH-44).
To bolster security, Joint Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) have been established at multiple strategic points. These are equipped with advanced vehicle scanners, AI-based facial recognition systems, and automatic number plate recognition technology, working in tandem with JKP to monitor and intercept any movement of militants or illegal war-like stores.
Officials say the operation reflects a proactive counter-terrorism strategy, combining real-time intelligence, technology, and inter-agency coordination to maintain peace and security in the region.