3 Jaish terrorists killed in Kishtwar encounter: Army

Jammu, Feb 22: Security forces on Sunday neutralised three Jaish terrorists, all Pakistani nationals, in a fierce encounter presently underway in Passerkut of Chhatru area in Kishtwar district while one or two terrorists were still believed to be on the run.

The charred remains of three slain terrorists, besides war like stores, including their weapons, were recovered from the encounter site.

Operation, christened as Trashi-I, as per officials, was continuing to hunt down the remaining terrorist(s).

Though no official details were issued about the identity of slain terrorists so far yet it was being believed that top Jaish commander Saifullah, a Pakistani national, wanted for involvement in several encounters since 2021, was among those neutralised. Official confirmation on this account, however, was awaited.

The encounter erupted after the security forces established contact with the hiding terrorists during a joint operation launched on specific intelligence inputs on Sunday (February 22, 2026) morning.

The teams of security forces, according to local sources, came under heavy volume of fire resorted to terrorists, hiding in a temporary hutment in the treacherous terrain. The fire was returned in an equal measure thus ensuing a fierce encounter. During the exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed by Sunday afternoon while the elimination of the third terrorist was confirmed in the evening.

The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the neutralisation of all three terrorists.

ìTroops of White Knight Corps, along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF, in a joint operation established contact with terrorists in the general area of Passerkut, Kishtwar. Firefight is on. Troops have cordoned off the area. Operation continues,î White Knight Corps posted, breaking news as the encounter erupted at around 11 am.

At around 2:45 pm, it confirmed the killing of two terrorists in the operation.

ìPursuant to credible intelligence inputs collated from JKP, IB and own intelligence sources, a deliberate joint operation was launched in the Kishtwar region under Operation Trashi-I to track and neutralise terrorists operating in the area. Following successful contact established earlier, troops of CIF Delta of White Knight Corps, in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF, re-engaged the terrorists today at approximately 11 am in challenging terrain. Displaying tactical precision, seamless synergy and resolute aggression, troops dominated the encounter site wherein two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. War-like stores including 2 AK-47 rifles have also been recovered,î it posted.

At 6:14 pm, the White Knight Corps confirmed the elimination of the third terrorist as well. ìIn continued operations under Op Trashi-I in Kishtwar, troops of CIF (D) of White Knight Corps, in coordination with JKP and CRPF have neutralised the third terrorist. The remains and the weapon of the terrorist have been recovered,î its post on ëXí read, adding that the hunt continued and those seeking to undermine stability and disturb peace would find no sanctuary.

Earlier on February 4, 2026, the security forces had killed one terrorist in ongoing ìOperation-Trashi-Iî in Dichhar area of Chhatru in Kishtwar district. Jaish commander Saifullah, however, was among those who managed to escape.

Following it, the Police also put up his posters in several key locations, including those in the neighbouring Doda district.

On February 14, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda Sandeep Mehta had stated that the posters of Jaish Commander Saifullah, the Pakistani terrorist on the run, were put up as he was trying to flee away after the Chhatru encounter.

ìFor the past one and a half month, intensive Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) have been underway in the Chhatru area of Kishtwar district. During one such search and counter terrorist operation, one terrorist was killed also. However, the main Jaish commander Saifullah is still alive and is trying to flee away,î Mehta said.

ìHis (Saifullahís) posters ñ showing him sporting a beard and without it, have been circulated for the information of the general public. What weíve heard is that he is trying to escape posing as a woman using Burqa,î Mehta had maintained.

Intensified Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) continued in Chhatru, Singhpora and adjoining areas of Kishtwar district to hunt down hiding terrorists from January 18, 2026.

The gunfight on January 18 erupted after the security forces came under heavy fire and grenade attack by the hiding 3-4 terrorists during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Son Nar forest stretch of Chhatru.

These terrorists affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad were engaged in the gunfire in the ëOperation Trashi.í

Eight soldiers sustained injuries in the grenade attack by the terrorists. Out of injured soldiers, one paratrooper – Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, succumbed to his injuries on January 18, 2026.

A well-equipped terrorist hideout was busted on Monday, January 19, 2026 in the vicinity of the encounter site and the security forces also detained a few individuals to unearth the Over Ground Workers, who helped the terrorists in creating infrastructure in deep forests amid treacherous heights and replenishing it.

Hunt for hiding terrorists led to several contacts of security forces with the terrorists on the run, however, on most of the occasions, they (terrorists) managed to breach the cordon till February 4 when one of them was killed in the exchange of fire.

Mobile data services also remained suspended temporarily in the areas of Chhatru, Singhpora and adjoining areas of Kishtwar district from January 23, 2026.