Kamal Ghorui
JAMMU: Security forces killed three terrorists during a gunfight in Kishtwar district of J&K, tightening a weeks-long hunt through dense forests and steep terrain, officials said Sunday.The fighting erupted in Chatroo forest belt of Kishtwar, where joint teams moved on intelligence inputs pointing to terrorists hiding in a mud house. As search parties closed in, the terrorists fired, triggering hours of combat.Two terrorists were killed during initial action. A third body was found by evening from a blown-out hideout, officials said. Authorities have yet to establish their identities. Troops seized arms and ammunition, including three AK-47 rifles.Army units from CIF Delta, working with J&K police and CRPF, led the operation. A spokesperson for White Knight Corps said troops “dominated” the site and re-engaged after contact was re-established Sunday morning.Udhampur and Kishtwar districts have seen repeated gunfights since mid-Jan, leaving several terrorists dead, including three on Feb 4. The latest action came under a single ongoing campaign, code-named Operation Trashi-I, launched after a Jan 18 gunfight that killed a paratrooper and wounded seven soldiers.The sweep followed multiple contacts over the past month as forces tracked a group believed to be moving between Sonnar, Janseer-Kandiwar, Dachaan and nearby high ground. A hideout was discovered on Jan 19, intensifying seek-and-shoot efforts. Northern Command said operations would continue to deny terrorists sanctuary.
