Intense Gunfight Continues in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

A fierce gunbattle between security forces and terrorists has continued for a second day in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, heightening tensions in the region.

The encounter, which began on Wednesday evening in the Chatroo area, was sparked by a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched by a joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF, based on specific intelligence about terrorist activity in Kanzal Mandu.

As security forces closed in, the hiding terrorists opened fire, triggering an ongoing exchange of intermittent gunfire. The Indian Army’s White Knight Corps reported on X, “Based on specific intelligence a joint search operation was underway in Kanzal Mandu, Kishtwar. Contact has been established with the terrorists and operations are in progress.” No casualties have been reported in this specific encounter as of the latest updates, but the operation remains active with reinforcements deployed to neutralize the threat.

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This incident coincides with the start of the annual Amarnath Yatra, raising concerns about security in the region. Kishtwar and nearby areas, including the Pir Panjal region, have seen a surge in militant activity in recent years, with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suspected to be involved. The operation follows a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, where Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists killed 26 civilians, prompting intensified anti-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are on high alert as the situation develops, with efforts focused on containing the threat and ensuring civilian safety.

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