Six hardcore terrorists, including a top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), have been neutralised in the past 20 days in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district under a joint counter-terror operation codenamed Operation Trashi–I, security officials said on Monday.
Addressing a joint press conference in Kishtwar, Maj Gen APS Bal, General Officer Commanding of Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) under the White Knight Corps, and Sridhar Patil, DIG Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range of Jammu and Kashmir Police, said the operation was launched on January 14, 2026, in the Chatroo area based on specific intelligence inputs.
“The CIF (Delta), under the aegis of White Knight Corps, Northern Command, in close coordination with J&K Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), eliminated six Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in its area of responsibility over the past 20 days,” the officers said.
They stated that security forces had been tracking a major terror group operating in the region since last year. Sustained operations were launched in April and May 2025 despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy rains and snowfall.
Three hardcore terrorists were eliminated in April 2025, but the group’s commander, code-named Saifullah, along with his associate Adil and two others, had managed to escape.
“Operations were launched in April and May last year and were sustained despite heavy rains and snow during winters,” they said adding that a successful contact with the group resulted in elimination of three hard core terrorists in April 2025, however the latest of the group code name Saifullah along with his close associate code Name Adil and two other terrorists were surviving and on the run.
Based on the collaborative assessment of intelligence provided by J&K Police, IB and own sources, a Joint Counter Terrorist (CT) Operation along with JKP and CRPF, codenamed Operation Trashi–I, was launched on Jan 14, 2026 in the Chatroo, Kishtwar region to track and neutralise terrorists operating in the area by troops of Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta under White Knight Corps including Assam Rifles, in close coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force, they said.
The officers added that on January 18, 2026, contact was established with the terror group, and their well-prepared and fully stocked hideout was busted by the security forces. “Relentless pursuit of the terrorists on the run resulted in the elimination of one terrorist, code-named Adil, on February 4, 2026, during Operation Trashi-1, in addition to two terrorists being neutralized in a separate operation, Op Kiya, on the same day,” the officers said in a press briefing.
Following the contact on February 4, 2026, the security forces continued with grit and determination to eliminate the remaining terrorists. The terrorists were re-engaged at approximately 1100 hours on February 22, 2026. They added, “Displaying high standards of tactical precision, seamless inter-agency coordination, and resolute operational efficiency, the security forces, including the J&K Police and CRPF, rigorously pursued the terrorist group through challenging and rugged terrain under harsh weather conditions.”
As a result of the persistent efforts of the security forces in this long-duration, large-scale operation spanning over a month, all four hardcore terrorists were neutralised. They said, “The final encounter site in which three terrorists were successfully neutralised on steep slopes of a rugged mountain was cordoned by the security forces in the night of February 21-22, 2026.”
The troops displayed exceptional tactical precision and swiftness, ensuring zero casualties among their personnel. Special mention was made of the Army-trained dog, Tyson, who entered the hideout to ascertain the presence of terrorists. The officers stated that the terrorists opened fire, during which Tyson was injured. During the search of the area, war-like stores, including three AK-47 rifles, were recovered along with the bodies of the slain terrorists.
The operation reflected seamless coordination between the Army, CRPF and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, notably the SOG, and said, “reinforcements, including special forces, were quickly mobilized.” “The Army utilized real-time surveillance drones and night vision equipment to track and contain terrorist movement, preventing any potential escape,” said the officers. They said that the formation will continue to undertake intelligence-based operations, sustain operational momentum and maintain dominance in the Area of Responsibility.
