Kishtwar, April 12, 2025 – In a significant blow to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces eliminated three terrorists, including Jaish-e-Mohammad top commander Saifullah, during a three-day anti-terror operation in the Chhatru forest area of Kishtwar district. The operation, dubbed “Operation Chhatru,” was launched on April 9 based on specific intelligence inputs and has been hailed as a major success in dismantling terror networks in the region.
Despite challenging weather conditions and rugged terrain, the joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police targeted a group of heavily armed terrorists hiding in the dense Naidgam forests of Chhatru. On Friday, one terrorist was neutralized, followed by the elimination of two more, including Saifullah, on Saturday. A large cache of war-like stores, including one AK rifle and one M4 rifle, was recovered from the encounter site, underscoring the militants’ intent to carry out large-scale attacks.
Saifullah, a key figure in Jaish-e-Mohammad’s operations, was linked to multiple terror attacks in Doda, Kishtwar, and Anantnag between July and November 2024. Security officials described his death as a “serious blow” to the Pakistan-based terror outfit’s network in Jammu and Kashmir. The other two terrorists, identified as Farman and Basha, were also believed to be Pakistani nationals affiliated with JeM. The operation remains in progress as security forces continue to comb the area for additional threats.
The Kishtwar encounter is part of a broader anti-terror strategy, with simultaneous operations underway in Udhampur and Kathua districts to neutralize infiltrating terrorists. Over the past 19 days, five encounters have been reported in the mountainous terrain of Kathua-Udhampur-Kishtwar, reflecting heightened vigilance by security forces.
Brigadier JVS Rathi, commander of the 5 Sector Assam Rifles, and DIG Shridhar Patil, overseeing the Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range, are scheduled to brief the media later today on the operation’s outcomes.
This successful operation comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to flag off the first train from Katra to Srinagar on April 19, signalling a strong message of resilience against terrorism in the region.