Forces dig deeper into forested terrain to locate, eliminate terrorists
Jammu Tawi, Jan 20: The anti-terrorist operation in Kishtwar district entered its third day on Tuesday, with security forces continuing searches in the forested Chatroo area amid difficult terrain.
The operation, codenamed Operation Trashi-I, began on Sunday in Sonnar village of Mandal-Singhpora following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area, officials said.
An officials said that a joint team of Army, police, and paramilitary forces is involved in the operation, which is supported by drones and sniffer dogs to locate well-concealed hideouts. He said that during the initial encounter on Sunday, one Army paratrooper, Havildar Gajendra Singh, was killed, and seven others were injured. The soldiers had come under fire from terrorists reportedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
The injured personnel are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, the official said. He added that the hideout discovered during the operation was fortified and stocked with winter rations, including pulses, blankets, and utensils sufficient to support at least four people for months.
Some locals have been detained for questioning to help identify overground workers (OGWs) who may have assisted the terrorists in procuring and transporting supplies, the official said.
Senior officers, including IGP Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti and IG CRPF Jammu R. Gopala Krishna Rao, were supervising the ongoing operation at the site.
The Army, along with police and paramilitary forces, will continue the cordon and combing operations in the area until the objectives of the mission are achieved, the officials added.
A wreath-laying ceremony for Havildar Gajendra Singh was held in Satwari, attended by Army and police officials. His mortal remains were later dispatched to his hometown in Uttarakhand for last rites.
“Havildar Gajendra Singh, a Special Forces soldier, was killed “while gallantly executing a counter-terror operation” as part of the ongoing Operation Trashi-I on the intervening night of January 18 and 19,” the Army said.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said, “The #GOC, White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a Counter Terrorism operation in the Singpura area during the ongoing Operation TRASHI-I on the intervening night of 18-19 Jan 2026.”
“We honour his indomitable courage, valour and selfless devotion to duty and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this hour of profound grief,” the post further read.
04 suspects detained for questioning
Jammu Tawi, Jan 20: Four (04) locals were detained on Tuesday for questioning by the security forces who are believed to have supported the terrorists in Kishtwar, where the encounter entered the third day between the terrorists and the security forces.
“There are no detentions and the encounter has been going on at Kishtwar, which is our first priority,” SSP Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, informed the Northlines, but highly placed sources said that 4 suspects have been detained for questioning with regard to Kishtwar encounter.
These suspects, the forces believe, have given all support to the terrorists engaged in Kishtwar encounter. The operation against the terrorists was launched in the Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt on Sunday, leading to a gunfight. One paratrooper as martyred and seven others were injured in the encounter.
The terrorists escaped deep into the forest area, but their well-fortified hideout, packed with a large quantity of winter stock, including eatables, blankets and utensils, was busted by the security forces.
Meanwhile, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held here to pay tributes to the slain Special Force Commando, Havildar Gajendra Singh, in Jammu on Tuesday morning.
