Encounter Erupts in J&K’s Kishtwar as Security Forces Engage Terrorists in Chhatru Area
Security forces engage terrorists in J&K’s Kishtwar during a joint early morning operation; the encounter is ongoing.
An intense encounter erupted in the early hours of November 5, 2025, between security forces and suspected terrorists in the remote Chhatru area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district, officials confirmed. The operation, codenamed Op Chhatru, was launched jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army's White Knight Corps, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following specific intelligence inputs about 2-3 militants hiding in the forested Kalaban region of Naidgam.
As troops cordoned off the dense terrain, terrorists initiated fire upon spotting the search party, prompting a robust retaliation and ongoing exchange of gunfire. No casualties have been officially reported yet, but one army jawan sustained minor injuries and is out of danger, according to preliminary updates from the ground.
The White Knight Corps, responsible for operations in the region, issued a statement on X detailing the intelligence-based action: "In an intelligence-based operation, in concert with @jk_police, in the early morning hours today, alert troops of #WhiteKnightCorps have established contact with terrorists in the general area of Chhatru. Fire was exchanged with terrorists. Operation is in progress."
This reflects heightened vigilance in Kishtwar, a hilly district in the Pir Panjal range that has witnessed sporadic militant incursions over the past year, often linked to infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control. The area's rugged landscape, including thick forests and elevated hideouts, poses tactical challenges, leading to the deployment of elite units like the Army's Special Forces and Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) to tighten the cordon.
Suspects are believed to be affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terror outfit notorious for cross-border attacks, with 3-4 militants possibly trapped amid the firefight. Prior nighttime encounters in the vicinity had allowed escapes, prompting this dawn raid for better visibility and containment, as noted by security analysts. The operation underscores the Indian forces' proactive stance in Jammu's counter-terror grid, where such joint efforts have neutralised over 50 terrorists since early 2025. Local residents in the nearby Chatroo subdivision have been advised to stay indoors, with no civilian movement reported in the vicinity during the standoff.
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As the gunbattle continues into the morning, reinforcements, including drones for aerial surveillance and additional troopers, have been rushed to seal escape routes, aiming for a swift resolution. This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, following recent high-profile eliminations in Kupwara and Poonch, and aligns with the Centre's zero-tolerance policy post-Article 370 abrogation. Further details on casualties or arrests are awaited, with authorities urging the public to rely on verified channels amid unconfirmed social media reports circulating online.
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