Anti-Terror Op Intensified in J&K's Kishtwar Amid Two-Feet Snow to Neutralise Terrorists, Internet Suspended

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security forces intensified their ongoing anti-terror operation in the snowbound Chatroo belt of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar to track down and neutralise a group of three holed up Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists, despite heavy snowfall in the area. The mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended within a radius of six km covering Singhpora, Chingam and Chatroo to avoid their misuse by anti-national elements during the ongoing operation.

Anti-Terror Op Intensified in J&K

Initially, a search operation was launched in the area on January 18, leading to a fierce gun battle in Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora, resulting in the killing of a paratrooper and injuries to seven soldiers. A group of two to three terrorists allegedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were believed to be trapped in the area. Although the terrorists managed to escape taking advantage of thick vegetation and the challenging terrain, the security forces continued their hunt for the terrorists despite more than two feet of snowfall.

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Two more encounters took place between the army and the terrorists at Mali Dana top on January 22 and Janseer-Kandiwar on January 25 but the terrorists once again slipped deep into the forest area.

Mobile Internet Suspended in Kishtwar

The mobile internet services were suspended in the area on January 23 amid the ongoing operation. The suspension of mobile internet services in Singhpora, Chingam and Chatroo has been extended till 23:59 hours on January 30, the officials said, quoting an order issued by the J-K Home Department.The suspension was ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, who is the authorised officer under the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024.The decision was taken to prevent the possible misuse of high-speed mobile data services by anti-national elements, which could lead to deterioration of public order, the officials said.Meanwhile, multiple teams of the army, police, and paramilitary forces, supported by drones and sniffer dogs, are combing the area while maintaining a tight security cordon to ensure that the terrorists are not able to escape.

Heavy Snowfall, Landslide Hits Kishtwar

Many parts of Jammu and Kashmir have been blanketed by snow at the fag-end of 'Chilla-i-Kalan', a 40-day period of extreme cold during which night temperatures often drop several degrees below the freezing point, and the chances of snowfall are the highest. It concluded on Friday. The end of this period marks the beginning of the 20-day Chillai Khurd (small cold), which will be followed by the 10-day Chillai Bachha (baby cold). A fresh western disturbance is likely to impact the region on Sunday, which could bring another spell of wet weather. Earlier this week, dozens of livestock, including sheep and goats, were killed in a landslide in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar due to a landslide. The landslide struck near the Hasti bridge when a group of shepherds were crossing the area along with their livestock. (With PTI, ANI Inputs)