Three Pakistani terrorists killed in intense gunfight in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu, Apr 12: Three terrorists have been eliminated in a fierce gunfight in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Army’s Northern Command, in an official statement on Saturday morning, confirmed that two more Pakistani terrorists were neutralized in the ongoing operation, despite adverse weather conditions.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including one AK rifle and one M4 rifle, has been recovered from the site, the Army added.

Earlier in the operation, one terrorist had been gunned down, after which the firing had temporarily ceased. However, in a renewed exchange, security forces managed to eliminate two more terrorists. "The operation is still underway," officials stated.

This encounter follows an earlier operation launched on April 9, when two separate encounters broke out in the forested areas of Kishtwar and Udhampur districts. In the Chatroo forests of Kishtwar, acting on confirmed intelligence about terrorist presence, a joint team of the Army, Police, and other security agencies had launched a cordon and search operation (CASO). The terrorists opened fire on the advancing forces, triggering a gun battle that continued intermittently.

The April 9 operation laid the groundwork for the ongoing offensive, as additional forces were deployed and the area was sealed off to prevent any escape routes. The current operation appears to be an extension of the April 9 encounter, targeting the same group of militants believed to be hiding in the region.

Security agencies continue to monitor the situation with drones and other surveillance tools, and the area remains under high alert.