Eight Indian Army soldiers were injured on Sunday during a heavy gunbattle with terrorists in the remote Sonnar forest area of Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, as per Akashvani news.
The encounter began around noon when a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, conducting a search operation codenamed Operation Trashi-I, was targeted by a group of two to three foreign terrorists believed to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.
While the injured personnel were evacuated, three of whom were airlifted to Jammu for specialised care, security forces resumed combing operations on Monday morning.
Reinforcements have been deployed to the rugged terrain to neutralise the holed-up militants who used grenades and indiscriminate fire to attempt a break through the security cordon.
Escalating Tensions
This confrontation in the Chatroo belt marks a significant escalation in 2026, being the first major incident in the area this year and the third encounter in the Jammu region within the month.
The operation follows intelligence reports indicating that nearly 35 foreign terrorists are hiding across the dense forests of Doda and Kishtwar. This surge in activity comes after previous encounters in the Kahog and Najote forests of Kathua district earlier in January.
Security has been significantly tightened across the region in the run-up to Republic Day, particularly following reports of suspicious cross-border drone sightings in the Poonch and Samba sectors over the past week.
Hostile Conditions
The Jammu-based White Knight Corps confirmed that contact was established in the Son Nar area, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate search operation. Officials stated that the terrorists launched a sudden attack using grenades and high-calibre weapons, resulting in splinter injuries to eight soldiers.
“Troops displayed exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions,” the Army stated in a post on X.
Additional forces from the Army, CRPF, and Police have since been inducted, with drones and sniffer dogs being utilised to track the militants through thick vegetation and steep slopes where visibility remains low.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recurring violence in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir highlights the immense bravery of our soldiers who operate in life-threatening conditions to ensure national security.
However, these frequent encounters also point to a concerning trend of foreign infiltration that continues to disrupt the peace of local communities.
We believe that while military vigilance is essential, a long-term solution lies in fostering regional harmony and addressing the roots of conflict through dialogue and community resilience.
