An encounter erupted early Thursday morning between security forces and a group of terrorists in the Singhpora area of Chatroo in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to initial reports, security forces have successfully trapped three to four terrorists in the region, and the entire area has been cordoned off. The situation remains tense as a fierce exchange of gunfire continues, with security personnel maintaining a high-alert posture while working to neutralise the threat.
The operation is being carried out by a joint team comprising personnel from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces. The security forces are exercising extreme caution, given the heavily forested terrain and the potential for civilian presence in nearby areas. Drone surveillance and thermal imaging equipment are being used to track the movements of the terrorists as the operation progresses.
This latest standoff follows a series of recent anti-terror actions in Jammu and Kashmir. Just a week ago, three terrorists affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were gunned down in the Nadir village of the Tral area in Pulwama district. The militants were later identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat—all local residents of Pulwama. These individuals were believed to be involved in planning and executing attacks against civilians and security personnel.
In addition to the Tral encounter, another gunfight was reported in the Keller area of Shopian earlier last week, indicating a surge in terrorist activity in South Kashmir. These encounters come in the wake of the devastating April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians and triggered a sweeping crackdown by security forces.
In response to the escalating threat, security agencies have intensified surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across the Kashmir Valley. As part of a broader counterterrorism campaign, authorities have begun demolishing properties linked to militants and their handlers. The move is aimed at choking the logistical and financial support networks that enable terrorism to thrive in the region.
The encounter in Kishtwar is being closely monitored at the highest levels of the security establishment. Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the site to prevent the terrorists from escaping and to ensure the safety of civilians in the vicinity. More details are expected to emerge as the operation unfolds.
