Gunfight erupts in Kishtwar, 3 Jaish terrorists trapped

JAMMU: A gunfight broke out Sunday between security forces and terrorists following a cordon-and-search operation launched on specific intelligence in Dachhan area of J&K’s Kishtwar district. At least three terrorists, suspected to be affiliated with Pakistan-backed banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, are believed to be trapped.

“Security forces came under intense fire during the search, triggering a gunfight,” an official said. Reinforcements were rushed in to tighten the cordon. The operation is ongoing.

Sunday’s shootout follows weeks of heightened anti-terrorism ops in Kishtwar of Jammu division. On July 4, security forces intensified a search in Kanzal Mandu forest of Kuchal-Chatroo after terrorists were spotted two days earlier.

On May 22, a soldier died of critical wounds during a shootout with terrorists in Singhapora of Chatroo. Earlier, on April 11-12, three Jaish terrorists were killed after security forces launched a search in Kishtwar’s Chatroo forest amid heavy rain.