Three terrorists, including top JeM commander, gunned down in Kishtwar encounter

One Indian Army soldier sacrificed his life while foiling fresh infiltration bid

April 12, 2025

Pak army violates ceasefire agreement in Akhnoor sector

A joint team of security forces has eliminated three terrorists, including a top commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist outfit, in the four-day-long encounter in the Naidgam area of Chatroo in the Kishtwar district without suffering any collateral damage.

On the other hand, the Pakistan army, late Friday night, once again violated the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keeri Battal area of Akhnoor by providing covering fire to the heavily armed group of terrorists. In the heavy exchange of firing, one of the Indian Army’s jawans succumbed to his fatal injuries (Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab).

#GOC #WhiteKnightCorps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of #Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a #CounterInfiltration operation along the #LineofControl in the #Keri–#Battal area of #Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr… pic.twitter.com/y6MmMcfTN9
— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 12, 2025

The security forces have launched massive searches in the forward areas of Akhnoor to prevent any fresh infiltration bid as well.

According to an initial statement issued by the Nagrota-based White Knight Corps, the anti-terror operation in the dense forest area of Chatroo was launched by the joint teams on Wednesday evening after receiving inputs about the suspected movement of a group of heavily armed terrorists in the area.

Additional troops were rushed along with elite para commandos to zero in on the terrorists.

Special forces braved high-snow areas and treacherous terrains to track down the terrorists.

After the initial contact was made, the terrorists were able to hide, taking advantage of the thick foliage.

The fresh contact was made early Friday morning, in which one terrorist was neutralized. Two other terrorists were gunned down late Friday evening.

Op Chhatru : Update
In the ongoing operations at #Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war like stores including One AK and One M4 rifle have been recovered.
Operations are in progress.…
— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) April 12, 2025

Preliminary reports indicated that among the slain terrorists was JeM commander Saifullah, and his killing is a big achievement for security forces.

A large quantity of arms, ammunition, and explosives have been recovered from the site of the encounter.

Security forces have also intensified anti-terror operations in the high-altitude areas of the Bhaderwah area of the Doda district, considering the melting snow in the higher meadows, a major factor contributing to infiltration during summer months.

Supported by helicopters and drones, troops are maintaining a high degree of surveillance in high-altitude areas connecting the Kishtwar, Udhampur, and Kathua districts.

So far, the region has witnessed five encounters in the past 20 days in the mountainous terrains of Kathua-Udhampur-Kishtwar, in which five terrorists were killed. Four police personnel were martyred, while three other police personnel and a girl sustained injuries.

Search operations also resumed Friday in the Jopher-Marta forests in the Udhampur district.

Equipped with sniffer dogs and aerial surveillance, multiple security agencies are combing the entire forest area to track down three terrorists hiding in the area, they added.
The areas have been placed under night cordons to prevent terrorists from escaping, the officials said.

On Wednesday, during a search operation by police and other security forces, contact was established with terrorists in the Jopher-Marta belt in the Ramnagar police station area of Udhampur, leading to an encounter. “Two to three terrorists are believed to be trapped.
Three encounters occurred in Kathua district; one took place in Udhampur district, and another took place in Kishtwar district.

They said security was beefed up along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, and people are being frisked and vehicles checked as part of this measure.

Meanwhile, reports said the Pakistan army violated the ceasefire in the Keri Battal area in the Akhnoor sector with a view to infiltrate terrorists.

Pakistani troops are reported to have resorted to firing, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate.

An Indian Army soldier who was injured in the gun battle succumbed to his injuries later.

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