What Happened in Kishtwar? Soldier Killed, Two Injured in Ongoing Gunfight

Synopsis
In Kishtwar, J&K, a soldier was killed and two others were injured in a gunfight with terrorists. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict in the region, prompting joint security forces to intensify their operations against terrorism. Stay tuned as we delve into the details surrounding this tragic event and its implications.
Key Takeaways
- A soldier lost his life in a gunfight in Kishtwar.
- Two other soldiers were injured during the encounter.
- The operation involved joint forces against JeM terrorists.
- The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is tense due to ongoing military operations.
- India's response includes targeted actions against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.
Jammu, May 22 (NationPress) Tragically, a soldier lost his life and two others sustained injuries on Thursday during an ongoing gunfight involving joint security forces and terrorists in the Kishtwar district of J&K, as reported by officials. The soldier was martyred in the encounter that unfolded in the Singhpora Chatroo area of Kishtwar.
Officials identified the fallen soldier as Sepoy Gaykar Sandip Pandurang, who hailed from the village of Karandi tehsil in Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. The injured personnel have been promptly transported to the hospital, and the encounter continues to evolve.
Initial reports indicated that two terrorists had been neutralized in this confrontation; however, this information has yet to be officially validated.
The joint forces, comprising 2 Para, 11 Rashtriya Rifles, 7 Assam Rifles, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police, launched an operation against Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists—believed to be three to four in number—in the Singhpora Chatroo area early in the morning.
Upon receiving specific intelligence regarding the presence of these terrorists, the joint security forces initiated a cordon and search operation (CASO). Officials stated, "The cordon was tightened to engage the terrorists and ensure they could not escape. As the joint forces advanced, the terrorists opened fire, leading to the ongoing encounter. Three to four Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists are reportedly holed up,” an official mentioned earlier.
Referring to the operation as "Op Trashi", the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army shared on its X handle, "Contact has been established with #terrorists during a joint #operation with @JmuKmrPolice at #Chhatru, #Kishtwar this morning. Additional troops have been deployed, and operations are ongoing to neutralize the terrorists."
Joint forces have intensified operations against terrorists and their overground workers (OGWs) as well as sympathizers in Jammu and Kashmir.
These efforts were amplified following an incident on April 22, when Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists segregated tourists based on religion, resulting in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local, in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.
This heinous act of terrorism has shocked the nation. In response, India conducted precision-guided attacks on terrorist infrastructure in Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In retaliation, Pakistan launched heavy mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir, targeting civilian structures. Approximately 200 houses and shops were destroyed due to the shelling, forcing hundreds of border residents to flee their villages for safety.
These residents have not yet fully returned home as security forces are still working to defuse unexploded Pakistani ordnance in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts.
India reached a ceasefire agreement brokered by the DGMOs of both nations on June 12.
However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that this understanding would only hold if Pakistan refrains from allowing any terrorist activities against India from its territory, emphasizing that this is a probationary period for Pakistan.