Jammu, Jan 19 (NationPress) The anti-terrorist operation in Sonnar village of the Chatroo area in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir has resumed on Monday after a temporary halt caused by limited visibility. Eight Army soldiers sustained injuries during an exchange of fire with terrorists on January 18, when the terrorists launched grenades and opened fire on the joint forces during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO).

Of the injured, three soldiers were swiftly airlifted for urgent medical care, while five others received treatment at a nearby medical facility. Officials reported that most injuries were due to splinters from grenade explosions.

Following a night of inactivity, the joint forces recommenced their operation to locate terrorists believed to be concealed in the higher terrains. The operation was initially paused due to the challenging landscape characterized by dense vegetation and steep inclines, which hindered visibility and mobility.

A combination of Army, police, and paramilitary personnel is actively searching the area, utilizing drones and sniffer dogs, while keeping a secure perimeter to prevent any escape by the terrorists.

It is estimated that a group of two to three terrorists, allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), are trapped in the vicinity. The operation began at dawn today, although there has been no new contact with the terrorists.

Designated as 'Operation Trashi-I', the Army's Nagrota-based White Knight Corps reported on X that the joint forces engaged with the terrorists in the Sonnar area during the ongoing counter-terror operations alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The Army praised the troops for their remarkable professionalism and resolve despite facing hostile fire under difficult conditions.

This incident marks the third confrontation between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year, following previous clashes in the Kahog and Najote forests in the Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.

Additionally, on December 15 of last year, a police officer lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in Soan village of the Majalta area in Udhampur district.

The terrorists evaded capture by exploiting the cover of dense foliage and nightfall. These encounters are part of a larger counter-terror operation initiated in December to eliminate nearly three dozen terrorists hiding in the forested regions.

In anticipation of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, operations have been intensified due to intelligence reports suggesting attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to infiltrate more terrorists into the area.

The hilly districts in the Jammu division, such as Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, and Reasi, are under close surveillance following reports indicating movement of Pakistani terrorists in these heavily forested mountainous areas.

Repeated engagements between joint forces and terrorists have occurred in these districts, with terrorists managing to escape due to the cover provided by the dense woods and darkness.

During a high-level security review meeting on January 8 led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the presence of terrorists in these hilly areas was thoroughly discussed.

Minister Shah emphasized the need for coordinated, sustained, and intelligence-driven operations to eliminate terrorists from mountainous terrains while ensuring zero infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The LoC stretches 740 km, while the IB measures 240 km in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army oversees security along the LoC, while the Border Security Force (BSF) manages the IB.

The LoC is located in the Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts of the Valley and partially in Jammu district. The IB is located in the Samba, Kathua, and Jammu districts of the Jammu division.