Operation Trashi-I: Two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, with contact established during a joint operation, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps said in a statement.

“Troops of #WhiteKnightCorps, along with @JmuKmrPolice and #CRPF, in a joint operation, established contact with terrorists in the general area of Passerkut, #Kishtwar. Firefight is on. Troops have cordoned off the area,” the statement read.

Two alleged terrorists linked to the banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district under Operation Trashi-I, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps said on Sunday.

According to the Army, the joint operation was launched after credible intelligence inputs were gathered by the police and other intelligence agencies. Teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force moved in to act on the information.

Also Read | Delhi on high alert as intel warns of Lashkar-e-Taiba terror plot

As per a report by the Hindustan Times, officials said one of the slain terrorists has been identified as Saifullah. Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition from the site of the encounter.

Encounter in Passerkut

Earlier, the Army had said that an encounter broke out in the Passerkut area of Chatroo in Kishtwar at around 10.30 am. Teams had received inputs about the presence of two Pakistani terrorists affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad in the area, officials told news agency PTI.

According to officials, the militants were hiding inside a mud house in the foothills. As troops approached the location, the terrorists opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The operation resulted in the killing of both suspects.

The Chatroo forest belt has witnessed multiple encounters in recent weeks. Nearly six gunfights between terrorists and security forces were reported in the area last month, in which a soldier and a terrorist were killed.

Also Read | Delhi on high alert: Islamabad blast link, revenge angle, temple on hit list - key points explained

Pakistani terrorist killed in Kathua

Last month, security forces also shot dead a terrorist during a joint operation in the Billawar area of Kathua district. The operation was carried out by the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Police identified the slain terrorist as Usman and said he was linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad.

“A Pakistani Jaish terrorist has been neutralised by a small JKP team in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar, Kathua district,” Jammu inspector general of police BS Tuti told Hindustan Times earlier.

The Kathua operation was launched after specific intelligence inputs were received. Forces sealed off the area, established contact with the suspect and later killed him during the operation.