Rajouri Encounter: 2-3 Pakistani terrorists trapped in Dorimal forest gunfight
Synopsis
Security forces have cornered 2-3 Pakistani terrorists in the dense Dorimal forests of Rajouri, triggering an active gunfight on 23 May. The encounter follows a string of operations in the Rajouri-Poonch corridor — a historically critical infiltration route — and marks the latest escalation in what has become a sustained, multi-year counter-terror campaign in this stretch of Jammu and Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
An active encounter broke out on 23 May in the Dorimal forest area of Rajouri district , Jammu and Kashmir .
Officials say at least 2-3 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be trapped; the operation is still underway.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on specific intelligence inputs before militants opened fire.
Reinforcements have been deployed to seal all exit points in the forest terrain.
Rajouri and Poonch have seen a significant surge in counter-terror operations, with over 15 locations searched in a single operation in May 2026 alone.
The region has been a recurring flashpoint since at least 2021 , including the large-scale Operation Trinetra in 2023.
An active encounter broke out on Saturday, 23 May between Pakistani terrorists and security forces in the Dorimal forest area of Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir, after troops acting on specific intelligence inputs launched a cordon and search operation that drew fire from hiding militants. Officials confirmed that at least 2-3 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be trapped, with the operation still underway.
How the Operation Unfolded
Security forces initiated a cordon and search operation in the Dorimal forests of Rajouri following credible intelligence about terrorist presence in the area. As troops closed in, the concealed militants opened fire, triggering the ongoing gunfight. Reinforcements have been rushed in to seal all exit points and prevent the trapped terrorists from escaping into the dense, mountainous terrain.
A Persistent Infiltration Corridor
The twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed a significant surge in counter-terror operations in recent years, with the region historically serving as a primary infiltration and revival corridor for armed groups crossing the Line of Control (LoC). In May 2026, a massive multi-agency search operation was launched across more than 15 locations in Poonch and Rajouri, following a foiled infiltration bid in the Mankote and Krishna Ghati sectors, where one infiltrator was killed. In March 2026, joint forces conducted combing operations in the Khandli and Palma areas of Rajouri and adjoining parts of Poonch after reported terrorist movement.
Pattern of Escalating Operations Since 2021
The current encounter fits a well-documented pattern of intensifying security activity in the region. During 2025, encounters broke out in the Bananthab and Piranhal areas of Rajouri, and a major operation in the Bajimaal forest area resulted in the elimination of what officials described as highly trained terrorists. In September 2023, a multi-day firefight in the Rajouri sector ended with the killing of two heavily-armed terrorists after intensive combing in difficult terrain. The April–May 2023 period saw deadly ambushes, including an attack on an Army vehicle in the Poonch sector and a subsequent encounter in the Kandi forest area of Rajouri that caused casualties to Army personnel and triggered the large-scale Operation Trinetra. A prolonged series of search operations and ambushes through 2021–2022 — particularly in the dense forests of Mendhar and Surankote — further underscored the strategic importance of this belt to cross-border militant networks.
What Happens Next
The operation in Dorimal is ongoing, with multiple agencies coordinating to ensure no exit route remains open. Security forces are conducting extensive combing of the surrounding forest terrain. The outcome of the encounter, including confirmation of casualties on either side, is expected once the operation concludes. Given the pattern of recent operations in this corridor, further search activity in adjacent areas is likely to follow.
Point of View
And despite repeated operations, armed groups continue to find cover in its dense forests. The critical question is not whether individual encounters succeed, but whether the cumulative operational tempo is degrading the corridor's utility to militant networks in any durable way. The frequency of encounters since 2021, including Operation Trinetra and the Bajimaal elimination, suggests sustained pressure — but the corridor's persistence also signals that structural vulnerabilities along this stretch of the LoC have not been fully addressed.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Rajouri encounter taking place?
The encounter is taking place in the Dorimal forest area of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation there after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists.
How many terrorists are trapped in the Rajouri gunfight?
Officials have said that at least 2-3 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be trapped in the Dorimal forests of Rajouri. The operation is ongoing and the final count has not been confirmed.
Why is Rajouri a recurring site for counter-terror operations?
Rajouri and the neighbouring district of Poonch have historically served as a primary infiltration and revival corridor for terrorists crossing the Line of Control. The dense, mountainous forest terrain provides cover, making the area a persistent operational challenge for security forces.
What is the history of encounters in Rajouri?
Rajouri has seen a sustained series of encounters since at least 2021, including operations in Bananthab, Piranhal, and Bajimaal during 2025, a multi-day firefight in September 2023, and the large-scale Operation Trinetra triggered by a deadly ambush on an Army vehicle in April–May 2023.
What action has been taken to prevent the terrorists from escaping?
Security forces have rushed reinforcements to plug all exit points around the Dorimal forest area. A multi-agency cordon is in place to prevent the trapped militants from fleeing into the surrounding terrain.
