Encounter Erupts Between Security Forces and Terrorists in J&K’s Kishtwar

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces on Wednesday evening in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir—just hours after the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims was flagged off from Jammu.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team comprising the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF launched a search operation in the Kuchal area of Chatroo. As security personnel were conducting the operation, terrorists opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle.

“Based on specific intelligence, a joint search operation was underway in Kanzal Mandu, Kishtwar. Contact has been established with the terrorists, and operations are in progress,” said the Army’s White Knight Corps in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Officials quoted by PTI said that additional forces have been deployed to tighten the cordon and prevent the terrorists’ escape. Initial inputs suggest that two to three militants affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group are believed to be trapped in the area.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, marking the ceremonial start of the annual pilgrimage. Security has since been intensified along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), with the Yatra set to begin officially on July 3 via both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

This is the latest in a series of anti-terror operations in the region. On April 9, a prolonged encounter in Chhatru forest led to the killing of three JeM terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including AK and M4 rifles. Another joint operation on May 22 in Singhpora, also in Chatroo, resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to two others following heavy exchange of fire.

Security forces remain on high alert as the Amarnath Yatra enters a critical phase amid heightened militant activity in the region.