Three Pakistani Terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed Believed Trapped in Dense Forest Zone
By Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, November 5:
A fierce encounter broke out early Wednesday morning between security forces and terrorists in the Kalaban forest area of Naidgam under Chatroo Sub-Division of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources told News Insider 24X7 that the gunfight started around 7 a.m. when a joint team of the Indian Army (11 RR), 2 Para and Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search operation following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
The terrorists opened fire upon the search party, which was retaliated by the security forces, triggering an encounter that is still underway in the dense forest terrain.
According to initial reports, three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit are believed to be trapped.
Confirming the development, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Contact with terrorists, Op Chhatru — In an intelligence-based operation, in concert with @JmuKmrPolice, alert troops of #WhiteKnightCorps have established contact with terrorists in the general area of Chhatru. Fire exchanged with terrorists. Operation is in progress.”
Security forces have cordoned off the entire forest belt, sealing possible escape routes as intermittent firing continues from both sides.
Kishtwar District has witnessed series of Encounters in last over one year.
The ongoing Chatroo encounter is the latest in a series of anti-terror operations conducted in Kishtwar district over the past year.
In May 2025: A soldier was Martyred in action during Operation Trashi in the Singhpora-Chatroo area after troops engaged terrorists hiding in thick forests.
In July 2025 the Contact was established with a group of terrorists in the Hadal Gal area; the operation lasted for several days.
In August 2025, a prolonged gunfight took place in the Dool forest area.
In November 2024, Two village defence guards Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar were killed by terrorists in the Bhart Ridge area, leading to a major cordon-and-search operation that left several security personnel injured.
Officials say these repeated encounters show that Kishtwar’s remote forest zones — including Chatroo, Naidgam, Dool and Padyarna — have become active routes and hideouts for infiltrated terrorists using the Pir Panjal mountain corridor.
Security experts note a worrying trend of terror activity shifting from the Kashmir Valley to the Jammu division, particularly the hilly districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, and Kishtwar.
Last year, terrorist attacks in Rajouri and Reasi claimed several civilian and security personnel lives, highlighting the terrorist’ attempt to open a new front in Jammu.
The Army and police have since intensified intelligence-based operations, deploying more troops and surveillance systems in forested zones to counter infiltration attempts and flush out sleeper cells that resulted into killing of dozens of terrorist.
As of now, the operation in Kalaban-Naidgam continues. Security forces are maintaining tight cordon, and reinforcements have been rushed to block all possible exit points.
The latest encounter in Kishtwar underlines the renewed militancy challenge facing the Jammu division. With three Pakistani Jaish terrorists trapped and a heavy exchange of fire ongoing, security forces are determined to neutralise the threat and prevent further infiltration in the sensitive hilly district.
