Security Forces Eliminate Most-Wanted Jaish Terrorist in Kathua Encounter
In a significant breakthrough for security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, a Pakistani terrorist belonging to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit was shot dead during an encounter in Billawar, Kathua district. The operation occurred as Operation Trashi-I entered its sixth day on Friday, according to IGP Bhim Sen Tuti.
Elusive Terrorist Neutralized After Multiple Escapes
The slain ultra, identified as Usman, was one of the most-wanted Jaish terrorists who had been active in the Udhampur-Kathua belt for the past couple of years after infiltrating into India. "He had escaped several encounters in the past, with the latest ones on January 7 and January 13, in the forests of Kahog and Najote," revealed an official familiar with the operation.
Earlier in the day, a joint team comprising the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police launched a counter-terrorism operation in Kathua's Parhetar area based on specific intelligence inputs. While combing a house, the search party came under fire, triggering an intense encounter where Usman was ultimately killed in close combat. Officials described the fire exchange as lasting only a few minutes but marking a crucial victory for security forces.
Operation Trashi-I Intensifies Across Jammu Division
With three more Jaish ultras believed to be trapped in the region, troops continued their relentless hunt under Operation Trashi-I, combing the forests of Sonnar, Mandral-Singhpora, and adjoining areas in the Chatroo belt. This operation continues despite treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions, including recent snowfall.
Operation Trashi-I was launched on January 18 following an intense gunfight between security personnel and terrorists in Sonnar village near the Line of Control. That initial engagement left eight soldiers injured, with Army Special Forces Commando Havildar Gajendra Singh succumbing to his injuries on January 19. This marked the first security force fatality in a counter-terrorism operation in the Union Territory in 2026.
Recent Developments in the Ongoing Operation
The operation has seen several critical developments over the past week:
- On January 20, security forces strengthened the cordon with aerial surveillance and sniffer dogs, leading to the discovery of a well-concealed terrorist hideout containing substantial quantities of rations, utensils, and consumables.
- Three to four locals from Sonnar village were detained for questioning as officials suspected that maintaining such a setup would have required assistance from overground workers.
- On January 21, additional forces were deployed to fortify the cordon and block potential escape routes.
- Amid heightened security ahead of Republic Day, joint teams conducted extensive door-to-door searches in areas with significant populations of Burmese (Rohingyas) and Bangladesh nationals across multiple districts.
Expanding Counter-Terrorism Efforts
After a brief three-day lull, fresh contact was established with terrorists on Thursday in Kishtwar's Singhpora area, where heavy fire was exchanged before the ultras managed to escape deeper into the woods. Simultaneously, in Jammu's Akhnoor sector, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation following reported sightings of terror suspects in Sumah locality.
Operation Trashi-I represents the third major counter-terrorism operation this year in Jammu division, following earlier clashes this month in the Kahog and Najote forests of Billawar in Kathua, located south of the Pir Panjal range.
Strategic Importance of Kishtwar Region
Kishtwar, a remote district situated east of the Chenab River and south of the Kashmir Valley, has witnessed intensified counter-terrorism efforts throughout 2025. Security forces have been tracking Pakistan-based terrorists through this region's challenging terrain of steep mountains and dense forests. At least six gun battles were reported there over a seven-month period, including a May 22 engagement in Chatroo that claimed the life of an Army trooper and injured two others.
Security officials emphasize that Kishtwar occupies a strategic position along a traditional infiltration corridor. Terrorists typically cross from Pakistan via Kathua before moving through Udhampur and Doda, eventually heading toward the Kashmir valley while using forest cover to evade detection. This geographical reality makes sustained counter-terrorism operations in the region particularly crucial for national security.
