Why is the Gunfight Continuing for the Second Day in Kishtwar?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Gunfight continues for a second day in Kishtwar.
- Security forces initiated a Cordon and Search Operation.
- Encounter triggered by fire from terrorists.
- Prime Minister Modi authorized military response to terror attacks.
- Significant civilian impact due to ongoing conflict.
Jammu, July 3 (NationPress) A fierce gunfight between security forces and terrorists has persisted for a second consecutive day in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The security forces initiated a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Chatroo region on Wednesday evening following intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists in the vicinity.
As the forces advanced towards the concealed terrorists, gunfire erupted, leading to an ongoing encounter.
Recent updates reveal that the confrontation continues, featuring sporadic firing from both sides.
The Army’s White Knight Corps, based in Nagrota, stated on X, “Informed by specific #intelligence, a joint search operation is in progress in Kanzal Mandu, #Kishtwar. Contact has been made with the #terrorists, and #operations are ongoing.”
Previously, on June 26, a terrorist was eliminated during a gunfight in the Basantgarh region of Udhampur district.
Coincidentally, Wednesday marked the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, with the first batch arriving at the base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal.
On April 22, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, backed by Pakistan, murdered 26 civilians in Baisaran meadow, segregating them based on faith. This heinous act drew nationwide outrage.
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorized the armed forces to retaliate against the terror attack.
The Indian Armed Forces effectively targeted nine terror infrastructures deep within Pakistan and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Targeted strikes occurred in Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in PoK.
Following the escalation, 11 defense bases in Pakistan faced attacks from the Indian Armed Forces.
Pakistan retaliated by shelling heavy mortars on civilian facilities across Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
As a result of Pakistan's shelling, 18 civilians lost their lives in the union territory, with 13 fatalities reported in Poonch district alone.
Numerous homes, shops, and religious structures—including a temple, a Gurudwara, and a church—sustained damage due to the shelling.