A fresh encounter between security forces and terrorists is underway in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The gunfight began on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in the Sonnar area, northeast of Chatroo, when security forces came into contact with terrorists during a search operation in a remote forested area. The operation, codenamed “Operation Trashi-I”, is being led by the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

According to officials, the encounter began around noon during a deliberate search operation as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises. One of the search teams encountered a group of two to three foreign terrorists, believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The terrorists allegedly opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades in an attempt to breach the cordon.

Security forces retaliated, and reinforcements from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to the area. Intermittent firing continued for some time. Three soldiers sustained splinter injuries and were evacuated to hospital. However, other sources indicate that seven army soldiers were injured in the gunfight, three of them seriously. The Army has confirmed the exchange of fire with terrorists but has not commented on the nature of the injuries sustained.

As of Thursday, January 22, 2026, contact was re-established with the terrorists in the Singhpura area of the Chatroo subdivision during a search operation that has been underway for the past five days. An exchange of fire took place after the forces regained contact, and the operation is currently ongoing.

A large-scale search operation is underway to track down and neutralise the terrorists, with drones, advanced surveillance equipment and sniffer dogs deployed to speed up the operation. Additional forces have been inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies. The Army commended the troops for their professionalism while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.

Sources indicate that two terrorist groups comprising seven members are believed to be active in the area — one led by Saifullah Balochi and the other by Adil, both Pakistani nationals.

This is the first major encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in the new year. This is also the third encounter reported in the Jammu region this year. Earlier gunfights took place in the Kahog and Najote forests of Kathua district's Billawar area.