Jammu, Feb 04: Encounters are taking place even in 2026, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday in a veiled jibe at the BJP over its claim that terrorism would end following the abrogation of Article 370 that happened in 2019.

Three Pakistani terrorists were killed in encounters with security forces in the higher reaches of Ramnagar in Udhampur and Chatroo in Kishtwar districts on Wednesday, taking the death toll in nine gunfights in the Jammu region in the past three weeks to five.

Earlier, one Pakistani terrorist was killed in Kathua on January 23, while an Army paratrooper also laid down his life in a gunfight in Kishtwar on January 18.

“It just keeps going on. They (terrorists) were killed, fine, but where did they come from? How did they reach Udhampur? Since when were they there? And how long will this continue?

“We were told that after 2019, this cycle would end. But now, even in 2026, it has started again and is not stopping,” the chief minister told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

He was responding to a question about the killing of two JeM terrorists in a two-day-long operation in Ramnagar forest in Udhampur district.

“On the contrary, areas that were completely free of terrorism before 2014–15 are now witnessing such incidents. So how did they reach Udhampur? Since when were they present there? Somewhere, we must get answers to these questions,” the chief minister said.

Asked about the upcoming three-day visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Abdullah said he would not like to discuss it in the media. “We will sit across the table and talk. There are many issues that need to be discussed face-to-face. We will do that.”

In response to another question related to the rise in cancer cases in the Union Territory, the chief minister said there was no dispute over the fact that cancer incidence was rising, and the reasons behind it could only be determined by medical experts.

Outlining the government’s role in curbing the number of such cases, he mentioned three key responsibilities that needed urgent attention.

“The first is increased funding for research and development, along with the creation of proper infrastructure. The second is strengthening the healthcare system to ensure that state cancer institutes function effectively, have adequate infrastructure, and allow doctors to work efficiently.”

The third priority, he said, is supporting financially weaker sections for whom cancer treatment had become extremely difficult due to the high cost of medicines.

“The government is working on a special package for such patients, which would be announced in due course,” he added.

Srinagar, Feb 04: Army on Wednesday said that one terrorist has been killed in the ongoing encounter in Dichhar area of Kishtwar district.

Army’s White Knight Corps in its X handle said: “In the continuing search and elimination of terrorists in the Kishtwar region, where the hunt has already led to several contacts in the dense forests and challenging terrain, contact was re-established with the terrorists on the run in the ongoing joint Operation Trashi-I, by the troops of CIF Delta, White Knight Corps, Jammu & Kashmir Police and CRPF at around 5.45 pm today in the general area of Dichhar, Kishtwar”.

“One terrorist has been successfully neutralized. Operation is in progress,” Army added.

#WhiteKnightCorps | #OpTrashi-I | #OneTerroristKilled

OPERATION TRASHI-I | ONE TERRORIST KILLED

In the continuing search and elimination of terrorists in the Kishtwar region, where the hunt has already led to several contacts in the dense forests and challenging terrain,…

— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) February 4, 2026

Earlier, security forces had neutralized two terrorists in an encounter in Udhampur district.

Kishtwar, Feb 04: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Bichaar area of Chhatroo in Kishtwar district on Wednesday, officials said.

Official sources told news agency Kashmir News Corner (KNC) that the exchange of fire erupted during a search operation launched by security forces following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

They said additional forces have been rushed to the spot, and the operation is currently underway. Further details are awaited.

Earlier, security forces had neutralised two terrorists in an encounter in Udhampur district.

Jammu, Feb 04: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Para on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to use his mandate to engage with the youth and people of Jammu and Kashmir and seek meaningful dialogue with the Union Home Minister.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, Para said that the democratic process in the Union Territory appears “powerless” and should not be reduced to mere procedural formalities. “Invite the Home Minister for talks with the youth and the people of J&K. Use the mandate to engage them, not reduce a historic struggle to business rules,” he said.

Referring to the developments after August 5, 2019, Para said the pain and sense of loss felt by the people should not be normalised or silenced. “End the sense of defeat. Our pain will not be silenced or normalised after August 5,” he asserted.

Srinagar, Feb 04: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a crucial three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from February 5 to conduct a comprehensive security review, assess developmental projects and engage with political stakeholders. Leaders across party lines reacted to the visit with a mix of optimism, expectations and political concerns.

The visit is expected to include high-level meetings with security agencies and administrative officials to evaluate the overall law and order situation and the progress of ongoing governance and infrastructure initiatives.

Reacting to the news, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa welcomed the Home Minister’s visit, calling it an important signal of the Centre’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir. He told IANS that such visits provide a morale boost to security agencies and reaffirm the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and instability.

“It is always a welcome step when the Home Minister visits Jammu. It shows his concern about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. During this three-day visit, security agencies will get a morale boost. This visit reflects that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister remain committed to the zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism,” Randhawa said.

Meanwhile, PDP MLA Syed Muntazir Mehdi described the visit as routine but emphasised the need for political outreach. He said that while security and administrative reviews are necessary, long-term stability in Jammu and Kashmir requires restoration of political rights and dialogue with stakeholders.

“As far as the Home Minister’s visit is concerned, it is a routine matter. He will review progress on security and administrative fronts, but initiatives on the political front are equally important. Restoring political rights and initiating dialogue with stakeholders is necessary to bring lasting stability to the region,” Mehdi said.

PDP MLA Waheed Para also welcomed the visit but raised concerns over rising incidents of alleged hate crimes against people from Jammu and Kashmir, particularly students studying in other states. He urged the Centre to establish mechanisms to ensure their safety.

“It is a good thing that he is visiting, but the most pressing issue today is hate crimes against people from Jammu and Kashmir, especially students in places like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We seek assurance from the Government of India and request the Home Minister to create a mechanism to prevent such incidents,” Para said.

JKNC MLA Hasnain Masoodi expressed hope that the visit would also address political concerns, particularly the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was promised following the reorganisation of the region in 2019.

“We have been hoping since 2019 that discussions will take place regarding restoration of statehood, as promised earlier,” Masoodi said.

Officials said the visit comes at a crucial time as the government continues to focus on security, development, and political engagement in the Union Territory.