Jammu- Two terrorists were killed in an ongoing operation in a snow-bound area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, senior security officials said on Saturday, reaffirming their resolve to completely root out terrorism from the region.
The killings raised the number of terrorists neutralised in the ongoing operations in the Chhatru belt of the hilly district in the past two days to three. One terrorist was eliminated by the security forces on Friday morning.
Official sources said the slain terrorists were affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit and included a top commander, Saifullah, who was active in the Chenab valley region for the past one year.
Assam Rifles’ 5-Sector Commander Brigadier J B S Rathi and Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Shridhar Patil said the operations, started on April 9, continues. The aim is to maintain peace and stability in the region, he said.
“A total of three terrorists was eliminated in the operations while the troops displayed great tactical acumen and swiftness, and ensured zero casualties on our side. Despite the weather and the night-time challenges, the troops displayed great professionalism and also gave the topmost priority to the security of the local population,” Brigadier Rathi told reporters in Kishtwar.
He said the operations also brought to the fore the seemless coordination between India Army and police, especially its Special Operations Group (SOG).
“After the first contact on April 9, rapid reinforcements were deployed in terms of special forces with the help of the Indian Air Force, and also to carry out realtime surveillance of the area the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, drones and the night visions were employed basically to ensure that terrorists do not escape from the area,” the army officer said.
He said the operation reaffirms the Army’s commitment to maintain peace and stability in the south of Jammu, especially in the Pir Panjal Range.
“Certain security measures have been instituted in terms of the rapid force response capabilities, technological integration and inter agency seemless coordination to maintain peace and stability in the region. We are thankful to White Knight Corps and the General Officer Commanding of Delta Force for their guidance and support,” he said.
The DIG said the operation is in its final stages after it was first launched on Wednesday following interception of the terrorists.
“Our operations will continue till all the terrorists present in the area are eliminated,” Patil said, adding the most important thing during the operations was the special care taken for the safety of the local population and “I appreciate them for their support to security agencies”.
He said the coordination and synergy witnessed during the operation will continue and “anyone coming here (from Pakistan) to indulge in terror activities will face the same fate”.
In response to questions on the killing of Saifullah, the DIG said, “We are not in a stage to confirm the identity of any dead terrorist. We will identify the bodies during our investigation and reveal it once it is established.”
On the number of active terrorist groups in the Chenab valley region, he said the numbers are not important and “as I said our operations will continue till all of them are neutralized”.
Brigadier Rathi also added that the number does not matter. “Whosoever comes with the aim of disturbing the peace and tranquility in the region will be eliminated.”
Patil said a large quantity of war-like stores including M-4 Carbine rifles and AK series rifles were recovered from the dead terrorists.
Asked about the local support enjoyed by terrorists, he said it is part of investigation and will be shared once it comes forth.
Earlier, the Army’s White Knight Corps took to X to inform about the killing of two more terrorists in the ongoing operations.
“In the ongoing operations at Chhatru, Kishtwar, despite bad and inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. A large quantity of war-like stores including one AK and one M4 rifle have been recovered,” the Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said.
One ultra was killed Friday morning when security forces established a contact with terrorists during the operations which were launched on Wednesday.
The officials said a separate operation to track down terrorists has also been underway in Basantgarh and Ramnagar areas of Udhampur district since Wednesday.
While there has been an encounter between security forces and search parties in Ramnagar forests on Wednesday, a local villager reported the presence of three terrorists after they visited him in Basantgarh forest on Wednesday night.
JCO Killed In Akhnoor Gunfight
Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) Kuldeep Chand was killed in an encounter with infiltrating terrorists in the Akhnoor sector.
The terrorists are believed to have sneaked back into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the intense gunfight in the Keri Bhattal area late Friday night, the officials said.
“GOC (General Officer Commanding) White Knight Corps (Lt Gen P K Mishra) and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in the Keri Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025.
“His team’s valour and Sub Kuldeep”s ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, also known as XVI Corps, posted on X. A wreath-laying ceremony for the JCO was held at military garrison Tanda in Akhnoor this afternoon and later his mortal remains were despatched to his family for last rites, officials said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday paid tributes to a junior commissioned officer. A wreath-laying ceremony for Subedar Kuldeep Chand was held at military garrison Tanda in Jammu’s Akhnoor in the afternoon and his mortal remains were despatched to his family in Himachal Pradesh for last rites, officials said.
Chand is survived by his son, daughter, wife and elderly parents. His body would be cremated at his native village on Sunday.
They said senior Army, police and civil officers led by General Officer Commanding of 10th Infantry Division Major General Sameer Shrivastava and Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Joginder Singh laid wreaths at the body and saluted the sacrifice of the junior commissioned officer (JCO).
Subedar Chand lost his life in a gunfight with terrorists attempting to infiltrate into India from the Pakistan side in the Keri-Bhattal area of the Akhnoor sector late on Friday night.
In a condolence message, Lt Governor Sinha said, “I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief.”
Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army, in a post on X, said the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of the braveheart.
“The Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” it said.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the death of Kuldeep Chand and said, “The news of Kuldeep Kumar ji, a resident of Kohlvi village of my assembly constituency Naudan, being martyred is very sad.
“His unforgettable contribution to the service of the country will always be remembered with respect. I pray to God to give peace to the departed and give strength to the bereaved family,” he added.
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