Encounter in Kishtwar after security forces intensify search operations in Jammu
In a post on X, Army's White Knight Corps said: 'OP CHERJI. Based on specific inputs an operation was launched by #IndianArmy in the Hadal Gal area of #Kishtwar Sector. Contact has been established with #terrorists. The #operation is currently in progress'.
This comes amid searches in Jammu in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack at Pahalgam in Kashmir where 26 people – mostly tourists but also one local pony operator – were shot dead. Searches have especially intensified in the areas south of the Pir Panjal range.
Although there are no details yet, sources said there were intelligence reports that '2-3 terrorists' were reportedly hiding in Hadal Gal and that security forces equipped with night vision devices are conducting searches even during night.
This comes nearly a month after a topmost commander of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in a joint operation by security forces and the police in the adjoining Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur district. According to officials, the terrorist, identified as Haider and codenamed Maulvi, was from Pakistan and was part of a four-member group that is suspected to have entered Basantgarh from the adjoining Kathua district.
The police and security forces said thy had been tracking the group since last year after a village defense guard (VDG) and an Army soldier were killed in separate encounters.
While Haider was killed on June 26, his accomplices managed to escape into the thick forests.
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