Kishtwar, Feb 22: Security forces achieved a major breakthrough in the Kishtwar district on Sunday following the killing of a top Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander in the Chatroo area. The operation, which began as a targeted search in the Passerkut forests, evolved into a significant confrontation involving the Army, the 2 Para regiment, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Though the gunfight persists, official sources asserted that the top commander was neutralized during the initial stages of the heavy exchange. “A joint team of police and army successfully engaged the targets, resulting in the death of a senior JeM operative,” a source stated. It was further maintained that although the commander has been killed, the retrieval of the body is currently pending as the area remains a live fire zone.
The Army’s White Knight Corps declared that the operation was a collaborative effort with the CRPF and local police. In an official communication, the Corps affirmed that troops had successfully established contact with the armed group and immediately cordoned off the entire vicinity. The statement noted that the firefight is active and the operation remains in progress to ensure the complete clearance of the forest belt.
The tactical move into the Chatroo region follows specific intelligence regarding the movement of high-level militant leadership. Officials declared that the neutralization of this commander is a blow to the outfit’s operational capabilities in the region. Reinforcements remain stationed at all exit points while the joint teams continue to navigate the dense cover of the Passerkut area to conclude the search.
