The army recovered a stash of items on Monday from a hideout belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. The massive search operation, which began on Sunday, continued for the third consecutive day on Tuesday in the upper reaches of Kishtwar, with several individuals detained for questioning.
According to an NDTV report, security forces found 50 Maggi packets, vegetables such as tomatoes and potatoes, spices of almost 15 types, 20 kg of high quality basmati rice, pulses, cooking gas, and dry wood at the hideout. The material seemed enough to provide for months.
The terrorists also developed a Kargil-style fortified bunker. It is suspected to be used by a Jaish commander from Pakistani, Saifullah, and his deputy, Adil, the report added.
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Search Ops Enter Day 3
A search operation was launched on Sunday in Sonar village near Mandal-Singhpora in the Chatroo area, during which terrorists, hiding in dense forests attacked security forces with grenades and then exchanged fire. A Special Forces Commando was killed in the grenade attack, while seven other security personnel were injured. Immediately after the attack, as security forces launched a counter-attack, the terrorists fled into the forest.
Senior officers, including Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti and CRPF Jammu Inspector General R Gopal Krishna Rao, also reached the encounter site and are camping there along with several Army officers to monitor the operation, jagran.com reported.
Several People Detained For Questioning
On Monday afternoon, several people were detained for questioning in connection with the busting of the hideout located at an altitude of more than 12,000 feet, officials said. Security forces are trying to identify overground workers (OGWs) who helped the terrorists procure and transport large quantities of rations, pulses, utensils and other supplies, enough to feed at least four people during the winter months.
In a post on X on Monday, the Army White Knight Corps said Operation Trashi-I is underway in Chatroo. The search operation has been intensified and the cordon has been tightened. Corps personnel, along with police and CRPF, are deployed to capture the area, the Army said.
Officials said a group of two to three terrorists belonging to JeM are believed to be trapped in the area. Officials added that operations have been intensified to ensure peaceful celebrations in the Jammu region ahead of Republic Day. Intelligence has been received that Pakistani handlers are trying to send more terrorists into the area.