Kishtwar: A fierce gunfight has broken out between security forces and a group of heavily armed terrorists in Kishtwar district in the wee hours of Monday. In a separate incident, Border Security Force (BSF) troops shot dead a Pakistani intruder attempting to cross into Indian territory along the International Border (IB) in Samba district late Sunday night marking the latest escalation in ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
The encounter, in the Dachhan forest area in Kishtwar, has resulted in intensified security measures across the Pir Panjal region amid heightened Republic Day vigilance.
According to preliminary reports from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, a joint team of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel, launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence about three to four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants hiding in the area. The terrorists — believed to be led by a top commander linked to recent attacks in Poonch and Rajouri — opened fire when surrounded, triggering a heavy exchange of gunfire.
“The operation is underway, and reinforcements have been rushed to neutralize the threat,” a senior Army spokesperson confirmed from Jammu.
Eyewitnesses from nearby villages reported hearing echoes of heavy explosions and automatic weapon fire, prompting temporary evacuation of over 200 families.
Meanwhile, a report from Samba said that Border Security Force (BSF) troops shot dead a Pakistani intruder attempting to cross into Indian territory along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district late Sunday night.
The incident occurred in Majra area of the Ramgarh sector, heightening tensions amid Republic Day security alerts.
Reports said alert BSF personnel at the Mangu Chak border outpost detected suspicious movement under the cover of darkness around midnight. Despite repeated challenges and warnings, the intruder ignored orders and advanced toward the border fence, prompting the troops to open fire. The individual was neutralized on the spot and the body was recovered near the IB.
No casualties among Indian forces were reported. Security has been further tightened across the LoC and IB.
