JAMMU: Security forces killed three terrorists during a gun battle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, intensifying a weeks-long manhunt through dense forests and steep terrain, officials said on Sunday.The fighting broke out in the Chatru forest belt of Kishtwar, where joint teams acted based on intelligence information indicating the presence of terrorists hiding in a mud house. As search teams approached, the terrorists opened fire, leading to hours of fighting.Two terrorists were killed during the initial operations. A third body was found by the evening in an exploded bunker, officials said. The authorities have not yet determined their identities. The forces confiscated weapons and ammunition, including three AK-47 rifles.The operation was led by Army units of CIF Delta, working with J&K Police and CRPF. A White Knight Corps spokesman said troops had “taken control” of the site and re-engaged after re-establishing contact on Sunday morning.Udhampur and Kishtwar districts have witnessed frequent gun battles since mid-January, killing several terrorists, including three on February 4. The latest action came as part of one ongoing campaign, dubbed “Operation Trashi-I,” which was launched after a gun battle on January 18 that left a paratrooper dead and seven soldiers wounded.
The invasion came after multiple contacts over the past month, as forces tracked down a group believed to be moving between Sonar, Jansir Kandiwar, Dashan and the nearby highlands. A cache was discovered on January 19, prompting an intensified search and shooting effort. The Northern Command said operations would continue to deprive terrorists of safe haven.
