Jammu, Jul 3: Massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) Thursday continued for the second day to hunt down terrorists with whom security forces established contact on July 2 in dense forests of Kanzal Mandu area in Chhatroo belt of Kishtwar district.
“Anti-terrorist operation is in progress,” PRO Defence Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said, when asked about the latest status of the encounter that erupted between security forces and hiding terrorists in Kanzal Mandu forests on Wednesday evening.
According to the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army, based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, a joint search operation was launched in the Kanzal Mandu forest stretch of Kishtwar on July 2 evening. During the search operation, contact of security forces was established with the terrorists thus ensuing heavy exchange of fire.
Security forces laid down a strict cordon to hunt down the hiding terrorists and for the purpose, additional reinforcements were rushed to the encounter site. Exchange of intermittent fire continued throughout the night.
On Thursday morning, the operation resumed with the help of drones and sniffer dogs and searches continued till last reports poured in.
On June 18 also, a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in and around Singhpora forest area of Chhatroo following reports of suspicious movement.
Earlier on May 22, 2025, one army soldier was killed and two others were injured in the same area, in an exchange of fire with a group of terrorists, who managed to escape. Following exchange of fire, a massive joint combing operation in Singhpora-Chhatroo and adjoining areas was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Indian Army, and other paramilitary forces including CRPF, to track the hiding terrorists with additional mobilisation of troops well equipped with surveillance equipment.
But no contact could be established with the terrorists thereafter. On April 11-12 this year, three terrorists were neutralized in the same area besides recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
