In a major anti-terror operation, Indian security forces eliminated three top Pakistani terrorists from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit in the dense snow-covered forests of Naidgam in Chatroo, Kishtwar district. The slain terrorists have been identified as JeM commander Saifullah, Farman, and Basha — each carrying a bounty of ₹5 lakh.
The coordinated operation began on April 9 and culminated on Friday morning with the death of all three terrorists. According to a senior police officer, “We first gunned down one terrorist in the morning and then eliminated two more by the evening.”
Elite Joint Operation: Para Commandos, CRPF, J&K Police Lead Strike
The high-altitude mission involved elite units from the Army’s 2, 5, and 9 Para Special Forces, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG). The operation took place in the thick forest terrain of the upper Himalayas, where aerial surveillance was conducted using helicopters to track fleeing terrorists.
Security forces recovered a large cache of arms, ammunition, and explosives from the site, further preventing future terror threats in the region.
Brigadier JVS Rathi, commander of the 5 Sector Assam Rifles, and DIG Shridhar Patil of the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range are scheduled to brief the media about the operation on Saturday.
Ceasefire Violation by Pakistan: JCO Martyred in Akhnoor
In a separate incident, the Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire late Thursday night along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri Battal sector of Akhnoor, Jammu. The provocation, suspected to be an infiltration attempt to push terrorists across the border, led to a heavy exchange of fire.
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Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Kuldeep Singh was critically injured in the firing. Despite being airlifted to a military hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. “At approximately 9:15 PM, Pakistani forces opened fire using small arms at our forward post. The Indian Army responded strongly,” confirmed officials.
Terrorists Spotted, Host Families in Udhampur
Amid heightened operations, three armed terrorists entered a house in Basantgarh, Udhampur district, on Wednesday night. They forced entry, took food, clothes, a mobile phone, shoes, a bag, and an umbrella before fleeing. A similar incident was reported on April 3, when two terrorists broke into a home in Chore Panjwa-Khabbal, held a family hostage, and looted supplies.
These events occurred in the same region where terrorists were initially spotted in the Hiranagar sector on March 23. Police have been tracking their movements ever since.
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Notably, on March 27, an encounter in the Sufain forest of Kathua led to the deaths of two terrorists and four police personnel.
Security forces have now launched simultaneous anti-terror operations across Udhampur and Kishtwar, tracking what officials believe is a larger group of infiltrators who crossed the international border via the Hiranagar sector. The campaign is ongoing and expected to intensify.
