Kishtwar/Udhampur, Apr 12 — In a major breakthrough for security forces Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Saifullah and two other Pakistani terrorists were gunned down in the dense snow-covered Naidgam forests of Chatroo, Kishtwar district. All three were carrying ₹5 lakh bounties on their heads, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The operation launched on April 9 culminated Friday with elite commandos from 2, 5, and 9 Para units, CRPF and J&K Police’s SOG engaging the terrorists. One was killed in the morning and two more in an intense evening encounter. Helicopters were also deployed to track fleeing militants, officials said.
A significant cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was recovered from the site. Officials said this group was part of a larger team that infiltrated through the Hiranagar sector in Kathua in recent weeks.
Security forces have expanded anti-terror operations to Udhampur and Kishtwar, suspecting more infiltrators are still active. Late Wednesday, three heavily armed terrorists from the same group stormed a villager’s home in Basantgarh, Udhampur, demanding food, clothes, a mobile phone, and other essentials before vanishing into the night.
A similar incident occurred on April 3, when two terrorists held a family hostage in the Chore Panjwa-Khabbal area of Udhampur’s Majalta block and fled with supplies. Both incidents occurred near areas where terrorists were earlier sighted.
The terror trail began March 23 when terrorists were spotted in Saniyal village, Hiranagar. Days later, on March 27, an encounter in Sufain forest near Jakhole village in Kathua led to the deaths of two terrorists and four policemen.
Amid the rising tension, the Pakistan Army violated ceasefire protocols on Friday night in the Keri Battal sector of Akhnoor, attempting to push more armed infiltrators across the Line of Control. Alert Indian troops foiled the attempt, but JCO Kuldeep Singh sustained a fatal gunshot wound in the exchange and later succumbed to his injuries at a garrison hospital.
Officials said the Pakistani side opened fire around 9:15 PM, drawing a strong retaliatory response from the Indian Army. A formal statement from the Army is expected soon.
Top officers including Brigadier JVS Rathi, commander of the 5 Sector Assam Rifles, and DIG Shridhar Patil of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range will address the media at 5 Assam Rifles HQ on Saturday, providing details on the ongoing operations and future plans.
As security forces tighten the cordon and continue tracking suspected terrorists in the region, the situation remains tense but under control.