| Zero casualties, total dominance: GOC Bal | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 23: After the successful culmination of Operation Trashi, Major General A.P.S. Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Counter Insurgency Force (Delta), along with B.S. Tuti, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, addressed the media and detailed the course of the prolonged counter-terror operation.
Maj Gen Bal stated that a major terrorist group operating in the region had been under relentless pursuit by security forces for several months. “Operations against the group were initiated in April and May last year and were sustained despite heavy rains and snowfall during the winter months,” he said.
He informed that sustained operations led to the elimination of three hardcore terrorists in April 2025. “However, the group’s leader, code-named Saifullah, along with his close associate Adil and two other terrorists, managed to evade capture and remained on the run,” he added.
Based on coordinated intelligence inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and other sources, a Joint Counter-Terrorist operation—codenamed Operation Trashi–I—was launched on January 14, 2026, in the Chhatroo area of Kishtwar district. The operation was conducted by troops of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) under the White Knight Corps, in close coordination with the JKP and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), with the objective of tracking and neutralising the remaining terrorists.
“On January 18, 2026, contact was established with the group, and a well-prepared and well-stocked hideout was successfully busted,” Maj Gen Bal said.
He further stated that relentless pursuit led to the elimination of one terrorist, code-named Adil, on February 4, 2026, during Operation Trashi–I. On the same day, two additional terrorists were neutralised in a separate operation, codenamed Operation Kiya.
Following the February 4 contact, security forces maintained sustained pressure with determination and operational focus to eliminate the remaining terrorists. The group was re-engaged at approximately 1100 hours on February 22, 2026.
In a display of high tactical precision, seamless inter-agency coordination, and operational efficiency, security forces—including the Army, JKP, and CRPF—continued to pursue the terrorists across rugged mountainous terrain under harsh weather conditions. The final encounter site, located on steep mountain slopes, was cordoned off during the night of February 21–22. All remaining terrorists were neutralised, marking the successful conclusion of the month-long, large-scale operation.
Maj Gen Bal highlighted that the troops ensured zero casualties among their own ranks. He made special mention of Army-trained dog Tyson, who entered a dhok (mountain hut) to confirm the presence of terrorists. The terrorists opened fire during the action, injuring the canine.
During subsequent search operations, war-like stores—including three AK-47 rifles—were recovered along with the bodies of the slain terrorists.
The operation underscored the seamless coordination among the Army, CRPF, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, particularly the Special Operations Group (SOG). Reinforcements, including special forces, were swiftly mobilised. The Army also deployed real-time surveillance drones and night-vision equipment to monitor and contain terrorist movement, effectively preventing any escape.
Over the past 20 days, Counter Insurgency Force (Delta), under the aegis of the White Knight Corps, Northern Command, in close coordination with the JKP and CRPF, has eliminated six Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in its area of responsibility based on multi-source intelligence inputs.
The formation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing intelligence-driven operations, maintaining operational momentum, and ensuring dominance in its area of responsibility. |
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