Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir - Security forces have concluded "Operation Trashi-I" in the Kishtwar district, resulting in the elimination of three individuals identified as terrorists. Initial reports indicate that the deceased were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit. The operation, launched following intelligence about terrorist presence, involved coordinated efforts by the Army, police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Weapons, including AK-47 rifles, were recovered from the encounter site.
Context of the Operation
The operation, codenamed "Trashi-I," was initiated based on credible intelligence suggesting the presence of terrorists in the challenging terrain of Kishtwar. Reports suggest search operations had been ongoing for an extended period, with specific focus on forested and mountainous areas like Chatroo, Sonnar, Dolgam, and Dichhar. The encounter itself reportedly escalated after security forces closed in on a suspected hideout, leading to a gunfight.
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Timeline: The operation culminated on Sunday, February 22, 2026. While some sources indicate search operations had been ongoing for weeks, the primary engagement appears to have occurred on this date.
Actors:
Security Forces: Army's White Knight Corps, Counter-Intelligence Force (Delta), Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Targeted Group: Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Location: Chatroo forest belt and surrounding challenging terrain in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Objective: To track and neutralize suspected terrorists.
Evidence of Encounter and Casualties
Multiple reports confirm the elimination of three individuals identified as terrorists. Recovered items and statements from security forces corroborate the event.
Three individuals confirmed eliminated in the encounter.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) identified as the group affiliation.
AK-47 rifles and other "war-like stores" recovered from the encounter site.
Identification of Deceased
Reports suggest the identification of at least one of the slain individuals, though formal confirmation is pending in some accounts.
Saifullah: Several reports identify "Saifullah," described as a Jaish-e-Mohammed commander and a "most wanted" operative, among the deceased. One report mentions he had evaded security forces on multiple occasions.
Pakistani Nationals: Preliminary intelligence suggests that at least two, and potentially all three, of the slain terrorists were Pakistani nationals.
Operational Details
The operation was characterized by deliberate action based on intelligence and involved engagement in difficult terrain.
Intelligence Inputs: Credible intelligence was collated from J&K Police, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and internal Army sources.
Terrain: The operation took place in snow-clad, rugged, and forested mountainous areas, specifically mentioning the Chatroo belt.
Engagement: The gunfight reportedly began when troops approached a suspected hideout, described as a mud house. Security forces engaged the terrorists after they opened fire.
"Operation Trashi-I": This codename signifies a broader ongoing effort by security forces in the Jammu region, focusing on challenging forested and mountainous areas.
Broader Context of JeM Activity in Jammu Region
The Kishtwar encounter is part of a larger pattern of counter-terrorism operations in the Jammu region, with several JeM operatives reportedly eliminated this year.
Previous Encounters: Reports mention earlier incidents where terrorists were killed in Udhampur and Kathua districts, with some sources stating six JeM terrorists have been eliminated in the Jammu region this year prior to this operation, while others state seven.
Winter Offensive: This operation is described as a significant success in the ongoing winter offensive aimed at dismantling JeM networks.
Expert Analysis and Official Statements
Official statements from the Army's White Knight Corps and police officials provide direct accounts of the operation.
"Troops of the Counter-Intelligence Force (Delta), operating under its command, neutralised the third terrorist during continued operations in Kishtwar." - Army's White Knight Corps (via ABP Live)
"The operation was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs and led to a fierce gun battle in the challenging terrain of the Chatroo belt." - Officials (via ABP Live)
"Three terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday." - Officials (via 8pm News)
"The White Knight Corps added that it had also recovered "war-like stores" which included two AK-47 rifles, from the possession of the slain terrorists, suspected of belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)." - The Week
Conclusion and Implications
"Operation Trashi-I" in Kishtwar has resulted in the successful elimination of three suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. The operation highlights the persistent security challenges in the region and the continued efforts by security forces to counter terrorist networks. The recovery of weapons and the alleged foreign nationality of the deceased underscore the trans-national nature of the threat. The identification of Saifullah as a key figure, if formally confirmed, would represent a significant blow to the JeM's operations in the area. Further investigations will likely focus on the complete identification of all deceased individuals and the extent of their network.
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Sources Used:
ABP Live: https://news.abplive.com/news/jammu-and-kashmir/third-terrorist-killed-in-kishtwar-during-operation-trashi-i-1828294 - Reports on the third terrorist being killed and Saifullah's identification.
8pm News: https://8pmnews.com/3-jem-terrorists-killed-in-kishtwar-encounter-under-op-trashi-i/ - Confirms three JeM terrorists killed and outlines joint operation details.
India TV: https://www.indiatvnews.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jaish-e-mohammad-terrorists-killed-in-kishtwar-encounter-jammu-and-kashmir-police-army-crpf-arms-and-ammunition-recovered-latest-updates-2026-02-22-1031236 - Identifies Saifullah as JeM commander and notes Pakistani nationality.
Republic World: https://www.republicworld.com/india/kishtwar-encounter-pakistani-terrorists-killed-jk - Mentions foreign terror module and ongoing search operations for 15 days.
Mathrubhumi: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/kishtwar-encounter-operation-trashi-i-jem-terrorists-killed-2026-auu9eqfh - Reports recovery of third terrorist body and affiliation with JeM.
Onmanorama: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2026/02/22/kashmir-encounter-terrorists-from-pakistan-killed.html - States two militants killed, linked to JeM, and recovered weapons.
The Week: https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2026/02/22/jandk-2-terrorists-killed-in-operation-trashi-i-in-kishtwar-war-like-stores-recovered.html - Reports two terrorists killed, recovery of war-like stores, and mentions a police alert about Saifullah.
Times Now: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/op-kiya-op-trashi-i-udhampur-kishtwar-encounter-three-pakistani-terrorists-killed-in-jammu-and-kashmir-article-153562829 - Discusses operations in Kishtwar and Udhampur, identifying three Pakistani terrorists killed in total.
