Exchange of fire in Kishtwar
Jammu, Jan 22: An exchange of fire between the security forces and the hiding terrorists took place on Thursday in the Singhpora forests, in the vicinity of the Son-Nar stretch, which witnessed a fierce gunfight on January 18, 2026, in the Chhatru area of Kishwar district.
Officially, no statement was made about the security forces re-establishing contact with the group of terrorists, who managed to slip away in the treacherous heights after the January 18 gunfight. However, the sources pointed out that the area witnessed intermittent firing between the two sides throughout the day, though there was no breakthrough.
There was no report of any injury, fatal or non-fatal, from any side, so far.
Additional deployment of troops has been made in the area, well equipped with advanced surveillance equipment, drones, and a dog squad, to strengthen the cordon amid unrelenting searches ongoing since January 18, 2026.
Senior officers of the Army, Police, and other central agencies are monitoring the counter terrorist operation to hunt down the terrorists hiding in the treacherous heights.
On January 20, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu zone Bhim Sen Tuti, joined by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jammu IG R Gopala Krishna Rao, had also visited the encounter site.
The security forces have detained a few individuals for questioning, after a well-equipped terrorist hideout was busted on Monday, January 19, 2026, in the vicinity of the encounter site, to unearth the Over Ground Workers, who helped the terrorists in creating infrastructure in deep forests amid treacherous heights and replenishing it.
The gunfight on January 18 erupted after the security forces came under heavy fire and grenade attack by the hiding terrorists during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Son Nar forest stretch.
A group of two to three terrorists, believed to be affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad, was engaged in the gunfire in the ëOperation Trashií, being led by the personnel from Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and para special forces along with Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and other security agencies.
Eight soldiers sustained injuries in the grenade attack by the terrorists, out of whom one paratrooper, Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, succumbed to his injuries.
Meanwhile, in a related yet separate development, the security forces on Thursday launched an intensive search operation in the Samah area of Akhnoor in Jammu district following the inputs about the suspicious movement.
The Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the personnel of other security agencies, conducted searches in the area after a local reported the sighting of 3-4 suspects, during the intervening night of January 21 and 22. Searches continued till late evening.
Separate teams of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a major security operation in the Domana and Kanachak areas.
ìLed by SDPO Domana Mudassir Hussain, intensive raids were conducted in the SOS Gol Gujral, Kheriyan, and Rajpura areas, as a part of security measures ahead of Republic Day,î Police said.
The action was carried out, following the directions of SSP Jammu Joginder Singh and SP Rural Jammu Brijesh Sharma. ìPolice teams kept a sharp watch on suspicious activities, conducted door-to-door searches, and questioned residents,î it said.
During the operation, SHO Domana Varuneshwar Singh, SHO Kanachak Manoj Dhar, Police Post In-charge Pauni Chak Amrik Singh, Gajansoo Police Post In-charge Maroof Ahmed, Sandhwa Border Police Post In-charge Rajveer Singh, along with a heavy deployment of police personnel, were present on the spot.
ìSuch security operations will be further intensified till Republic Day to ensure that the general public can celebrate the national festival without fear,î the Police said.
