An intense gunfight in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has led to the entrapment of two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a top commander, in a forest cave.
JAMMU: A fierce gunfight erupted in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday as security forces initiated a search operation in the hilly Dool area, following specific intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants.
As the search parties advanced, the militants, believed to be two in number, opened fire, prompting an immediate exchange of gunfire. Sources indicate that the militants are Riyaz and Mudasir, members of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. They are reportedly holed up in a cave deep within the forest, which has been fortified and strategically positioned to evade aerial detection.
The local police have announced a reward of ₹30 lakh for information leading to the capture or elimination of Riyaz, Mudasir, and Jahangir Saroori, who is noted as the longest-surviving terrorist associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and a key figure in sustaining militancy in the Chenab Valley.
The Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the encounter via a post on X, stating that alert troops conducting an intelligence-based operation established contact with the terrorists in the early hours, leading to the ongoing exchange of fire.
Kishtwar has been a hotspot for militancy for several years, serving as a strategic transit and hideout area for terrorists operating between the Kashmir Valley, Doda, and parts of Jammu. The region’s dense forests, rugged terrain, and remote villages have allowed small groups of militants to evade capture and continue their operations despite numerous counter-insurgency efforts.
Security officials assert that neutralizing the Hizbul module based in Kishtwar would deliver a significant blow to the militant networks in the Chenab Valley, which have relied on this area for recruitment, logistics, and shelter.
As of the latest reports, the operation is still ongoing, with additional forces deployed to prevent any escape from the cordoned-off zone.
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