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| After eliminating Saifullah, security forces intensify anti-terror operations in Kishtwar | | | sANAJY PANDITA
Early Times Report
Jammu, July 3: On the second consecutive day, a massive search and combing operation continued in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district following the sighting of a terrorist group and a brief encounter that took place on Wednesday evening.
The intensified operation comes in the wake of a major breakthrough earlier this year—the elimination of dreaded Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander Saifullah—as security forces aim to root out terrorism from the region entirely.
On April 12, Saifullah, a top JeM terrorist and self-styled commander, was killed in a fierce encounter in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar. A native of Pakistan, Saifullah had been operating in the mountainous belt of Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, and Kathua, and was involved in several deadly attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel. He had remained active for over three years, constantly evading the security dragnet.
His killing marked a major victory for security forces in their ongoing anti-terror campaign. According to intelligence inputs, Saifullah had infiltrated into Indian territory to revive terrorism in the Chenab Valley region—which includes Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban—and expand terror activities in Udhampur and Kathua.
Security officials revealed that he played a key role in coordinating infiltration attempts, moving terrorists to safe locations, planning attacks, and recruiting Over Ground Workers (OGWs) to sustain the militant network.
Meanwhile, the current search and combing operation, launched after Wednesday’s brief exchange of fire, is focused on tracing two terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forests of the Kanzal Mandu area, part of the Kuchal-Chatroo belt.
The encounter began when police, assisted by the Army and CRPF, launched a cordon and search operation following specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement. “Based on actionable intelligence, a joint operation was launched in the Kanzal Mandu area of Kishtwar,” a defence spokesperson confirmed.
The heavily forested and rugged terrain continues to pose challenges for security forces, but the operation remains in full swing.
The mountainous district of Kishtwar, which borders south Kashmir, has witnessed a resurgence of terrorist activity over the past two years. Several encounters and incidents point to a deliberate effort by Pakistan-based groups to revive militancy in the region.
On May 22, two terrorists were gunned down in the Chatroo area after they opened fire on security forces. A soldier also lost his life in the line of duty.
On April 12, the same operation in which Saifullah was eliminated also led to the neutralization of two other terrorists. A large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the site.
On November 8, 2024, terrorists kidnapped and killed two Village Defence Group (VDG) members—Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, both residents of Ohli Kuntwara village. The incident was claimed by the "Kashmir Tigers," an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammad. Disturbing images of the blindfolded victims were circulated by the terror group to instill fear.
Earlier, on September 13, 2024, two Army personnel were martyred and two others injured during an encounter in the district, further underlining the volatile security situation in the region.
Security forces remain on high alert, committed to eliminating the remaining terrorist elements and dismantling the support networks enabling cross-border infiltration and violence. |
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