Gunfight erupts in Kishtwar as security forces confront Hizbul Mujahideen militants hiding in a forest cave; ₹30 lakh reward announced for key terrorists.
Security forces engage militants in dense forests of Kishtwar during an ongoing encounter with Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists.
JAMMU: An intense gunfight broke out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Sunday after security forces launched a search operation in the hilly Dool area based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists.
Officials said that as the search parties closed in, the hiding militants believed to be two in number — opened fire, triggering the encounter.
According to sources, the trapped militants are suspected to be Riyaz and Mudasir of the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Both are believed to be holed up inside a cave deep in the forest, which they have been using as a hideout. The cave is said to be well-stocked and strategically located to avoid aerial detection.
Police have already announced a reward of ₹30 lakh for information leading to the capture or
Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the encounter in an X post, stating that alert troops conducting an intelligence-based operation established contact with the terrorists in the early hours and exchanged fire.
Kishtwar has remained an active militancy zone for several years, serving as a strategic transit and hideout area for terrorists operating between the Kashmir Valley, Doda, and parts of Jammu. Dense forests, rugged terrain, and remote villages have allowed small groups of militants to evade capture and operate in the region despite repeated counter-insurgency operations.
Security officials say that neutralising the Kishtwar-based Hizbul module would be a significant blow to militant networks in the Chenab Valley, which have relied on the area for recruitment, logistics, and shelter.
The operation was ongoing till last reports came in, with additional forces deployed to prevent any escape from the cordoned-off zone.
