Who Was Havildar Gajendra Singh? Promoted Last Month, 2 PARA SF Commando Killed In Kishtwar Gunfight

Havildar Gajendra Singh, a soldier of the Indian Army’s 2 PARA (Special Forces), was killed on Monday after sustaining bullet wounds and grenade splinter injuries during a counter-terrorism operation in the mountains of Kishtwar. His death marks the first security force fatality in a counter-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2026.Singh, a native of Uttarakhand, was among eight soldiers injured late Sunday when terrorists opened fire on a joint Army–police search party in dense forests near Sonnar village in the Chatroo belt, officials said. He and two other injured personnel were airlifted to a hospital, but Singh succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts.

#WhiteKnightCorps | #Homage | #WeSaluteOurBraveheartIn solemn remembrance,

White Knight Corps paid tribute to Braveheart Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a Counter Terrorism Operation in the Singpura area… pic.twitter.com/SOGneb4AU6

— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) January 20, 2026

The encounter took place during Operation Trashi-I, a coordinated counter-terror operation launched following intelligence inputs on terrorist movement in the area. Officials said troops came under grenade attacks followed by bursts of automatic gunfire while advancing toward suspected hideouts in the rugged terrain.

Service Record and Unit Background

Havildar Gajendra Singh served with 2 PARA (Special Forces), an elite battalion of the Parachute Regiment known for high-risk counter-terrorism and mountain warfare missions. The unit, often referred to by its operational nickname “Predators,” has been extensively deployed in Jammu and Kashmir due to its specialised training and operational experience, according to Army sources.Singh had recently been promoted, a milestone that was acknowledged within his unit only weeks before the operation. A retired Army officer, Digvijay Rawat, who previously served with the 21st Battaliob of Para Special Forces, said in a social media post that Singh had been distributing sweets in his unit following the promotion.

Hav Gajendra Singh, 2 PARA (SF), just about a month ago, was distributing sweets in the unit on his well-deserved promotion . Hav Gajendra, a highly qualified battlefield medic, rushed to the aid of an injured soldier. This was done without regard for his own safety, despite the… pic.twitter.com/qhcs1aS9J7

— Maj Digvijay Singh Rawat, Kirti Chakra (@Dig_raw21) January 22, 2026

In the same post, Rawat said Singh was a highly trained battlefield medic who attempted to reach and treat an injured colleague during the firefight, despite being warned of the danger. Times Now noted that it could not independently verify these claims, but if accurate, they reflect conduct consistent with the ethos of not only the Special Forces, but of the Indian Army.

Operation Trashi-I and the Kishtwar Encounter

The Indian Army confirmed the operation through its White Knight Corps, which stated on X that contact was established with terrorists during a deliberate joint search operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Corps said troops displayed “exceptional professionalism and resolve” while responding to hostile fire under difficult terrain and weather conditions.

#WhiteKnightCorps | #ContactWithTerroristsOperation Trashi - IContact was established with terrorists in the general area Son Nar, northeast of Chhatru, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror operations alongwith @JmuKmrPolice.…

— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) January 18, 2026

According to officials, the operation was launched on January 18 following intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists in the forested hills northeast of Chatroo. The firefight occurred in darkness, with terrorists using grenades and small arms to target the advancing search party.Following the clash, security forces tightened the cordon and inducted additional troops to reinforce the area. During subsequent searches, forces uncovered a hideout stocked with rations and utensils, suggesting sustained terrorist presence in the region, officials said.

Wider Security Context in Jammu Region

Security officials estimate that around 30 terrorists are currently active across the wider Jammu region, with Kishtwar identified as a key infiltration and transit corridor. Terrorists are known to cross over from Pakistan-based launchpads via Kathua before moving through Udhampur and Doda districts, using dense forest cover to evade detection.

The Kishtwar district, located east of the Chenab River and south of the Kashmir Valley, has seen intensified counter-terrorism activity over the past year. At least six gun battles were reported in the district over seven months in 2025, including an encounter on May 22 in Chatroo in which an Army soldier was killed and two others were injured.The ongoing operation is the third major encounter in the Jammu division this year, following earlier gunfights in the Kahog and Najote forests of Billawar in Kathua district. Security has been further heightened across the region ahead of Republic Day, officials said.