The hideout, built with stones and concealed under a tarpaulin, was located on a slope amid dense forest cover, making it difficult to detect from a distance. Officials said the structure reflected careful planning and familiarity with the terrain. Inside, troops recovered a large quantity of rations and daily-use supplies, including gas cylinders, a stove, rice, wheat flour, spices, instant noodles, half-cooked eggs, fresh vegetables and blankets spread across the floor.
Security officials said the volume and variety of supplies indicated that the hideout had been in use for a considerable period and was intended to support an extended stay. “Such quantities could not have been carried entirely by the terrorists from across the border,” an official said, adding that local assistance was likely involved in delivering the material.
Jawans involved in the operation recorded a video of the busted hideout, documenting the recovered items. The footage, officials said, would aid further investigation into the network supporting the militants.
The ongoing operation, code-named Operation Trashi-I, was launched following intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of two to three terrorists in the area. Security agencies believe the group is linked to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Multiple teams of the Army, police and paramilitary forces have been deployed, with cordon-and-search operations continuing across forested stretches and adjoining villages.
The Kishtwar operation comes amid heightened vigilance in the Jammu region, which has seen a series of encounters this year. Officials confirmed that three terrorist hideouts—both small and large—have already been destroyed in the Billawar area of neighbouring Kathua district. Earlier this month, a prolonged encounter between January 7 and 13 in the Kahog and Najote forests of Billawar ended without casualties.
Meanwhile, the Army is set to hold the funeral of Havildar Gajendra Singh Gadia, who was martyred during a recent encounter with terrorists. The soldier sustained critical shrapnel injuries in a sudden grenade attack and succumbed during treatment at a state military hospital on the night of January 18–19. His mortal remains will be flown by helicopter to Bageshwar in Uttarakhand and cremated with full military honours on January 20 at his native village in Gram Panchayat Biththi (Panyati).
Officials said the search operation would continue until the area is fully sanitised, warning that those aiding militants would face strict action.
.jpg)
