Fresh encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar

A fresh clash broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district late on Sunday night (January 25, 2026), officials said. This marks the third encounter in the mountainous Chatroo belt in the past week as the army and police continue to search for three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad organization despite heavy snowfall in the region.

The last encounter began around 10.20 pm, when a joint search team comprising the Army and police conducted operations in the Janseer-Kandiwar forest area. Authorities reported that security forces returned fire and intermittent gunfire was heard as the situation developed.

Despite the Chatroo belt being covered in snow, the Army continued to pursue the terrorists after the first gunfight took place on January 18 at Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora. The first conflict resulted in the death of one paratrooper and the wounding of seven other soldiers.

Although the terrorists managed to escape using dense vegetation and difficult terrain, they were captured a few kilometers from the initial encounter site on January 22.

Success again eluded the forces, but they continued their search despite witnessing more than half a meter of snowfall in the area on Friday, January 23, 2026.