The encounter broke out in the Sonar area, a remote and hilly terrain in Kishtwar, during an ongoing counter-terror operation launched on specific intelligence inputs. The operation, code-named Operation Trashi-1, is being led by the Army’s White Knight Corps with support from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

According to officials familiar with the operation, troops had established a cordon after tracking the movement of two to three suspected militants believed to be hiding in the forested area. When security forces moved in to tighten the cordon, the militants opened fire and hurled grenades, triggering a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

“Initial assessments suggest the militants may be linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit,” a senior security official said, adding that the area’s difficult terrain and dense vegetation have complicated the operation.

The search and combing operation is continuing, with additional troops inducted to prevent any escape. Surveillance drones and sniffer dogs have been deployed to track militant movement, while access routes to the area have been sealed as a precautionary measure.

Officials said the condition of the injured soldiers is stable, though three were shifted by helicopter due to the seriousness of their injuries and the remoteness of the location. No civilian casualties have been reported so far.

Kishtwar and adjoining districts have witnessed sporadic militant activity over the past year, particularly in high-altitude forest belts that militants are believed to be using as temporary hideouts. Security agencies say these groups often attempt to regroup during winter months, taking advantage of difficult weather conditions and reduced civilian movement.

The latest encounter follows a series of similar incidents across Jammu and Kashmir in recent months, underlining continued security challenges in the region. Officials reiterated that counter-terror operations would remain intensified to prevent militant regrouping and infiltration.

Further details are expected once the operation concludes and the area is fully sanitised.