Kishtwar encounter Day 5: Fresh gunfight erupts as forces track infiltrators

Srinagar: A fresh gunfight started in the forest areas of Chatru in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, where an army man from the special forces was killed and seven others injured earlier this week. Operation 'Trashi-I' was launched in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in Chatroo belt on Sunday which entered its fifth day on Thursday, when the first exchange of fire started.

"After the initial gunfight, at least one of them (infiltrators) was injured. We spotted and followed a blood trail and it took us to this spot where a fresh gunfight has started now," a senior army official told ET. The officials informed that at least "one infiltrator is present at this spot, who may have parted ways from the group" after the operation started. The army official suspected that this was a group of 3-4 infiltrators, who were present in this area for a long time.

Officials said heavy firing between the two sides was going on when the last reports were received and efforts were on to neutralise the infiltrators operating in the area.


In the initial gunfight on Sunday, an Army paratrooper, Havildar Gajendra Singh of 2 PARA of the special forces, lost his life during the operation. "Whover goes after them (infiltrators) and initiate operations will have to face the challenges. We cannot be just waiting and watching," said a senior army official posted in the area.

Over the past five days, forces also busted a hideout of the infiltrators in which an LPG cylinder, a gas stove, dry fruits, vegetables, basmati rice, Maggi packets, desi ghee and other eatables were recovered.