Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu
Jammu, Feb 23: The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army on Monday confirmed the elimination of seven heavily armed terrorists following an intense 326-day joint operation in the Chatroo region of Kishtwar district.
Operating from its Nagrota headquarters, the Corps described the mission as one of the most prolonged and demanding counter-terror operations in the high-altitude terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. Conducted in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force, the operation tested forces against extreme cold, snow-bound landscapes, and rugged mountainous terrain.
According to the Army, troops relied on a strong intelligence network developed jointly by civil and military agencies. Advanced surveillance and combat technologies — including FPV drones, satellite imagery, remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), UAVs, and secure communication systems — played a crucial role in tracking the militants across difficult terrain.
The terrorists, linked to the Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad, had been operating in the densely forested belt of Chatroo. The group was led by commander Saifullah, who, along with his associates, was eventually cornered and killed.
Security forces reported more than a dozen encounters with the militants over the past year. As pressure mounted, the group frequently shifted hideouts across multiple districts, including Doda district, Kathua district, and Udhampur district, in an attempt to evade capture. Continuous pursuit by joint forces reportedly forced the militants into survival mode, preventing them from launching planned attacks.
Describing the operation as a “major setback to the terror network,” the Army underscored the determination and coordination of the forces involved.
Earlier this month, on February 7, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Jammu. He instructed security agencies to intensify operations in mission mode to eliminate terrorists hiding in hilly regions and ensure zero infiltration, aiming to restore lasting peace in the Union Territory.