Kishtwar, Feb 22: Security forces achieved a major breakthrough in Kishtwar district today with the elimination of three terrorists, including a high-ranking commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. The encounter took place in the dense forest reaches of the Chatroo area following a coordinated search operation by the Indian Army, 2 Para, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Official sources confirmed that one of the deceased has been identified as Saifulla, a top-tier JeM commander who had been on the security radar for a significant period. Officials stated that Saifulla had managed to escape the security net during several previous encounters, making his neutralization a primary objective for local counter-terror units. The identities of the other two terrorists killed in the exchange are currently being verified as the area remains under a security sweep.
The White Knight Corps affirmed the details of the engagement, noting that tactical teams established contact with the group in the Passerkut region early Sunday. In a public statement, the military maintained that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the CRPF and local police units. “Troops established contact with the terrorists and successfully cordoned off the general area to prevent any escape,” the statement declared.
The gunfight intensified as the joint teams moved into the rugged terrain to flush out the remaining militants. Security officials asserted that the elimination of Saifulla is a significant blow to the operational network of the JeM in the region. Authorities declared that while the main firefight has concluded, the operation continues as personnel conduct a thorough search of the vicinity to ensure no further threats remain.
