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Operation Trashi-I: Gunfight in J&K's Kishtwar; 8 Army personnel injured
Security forces launched Operation Trashi-I on January 18, 2026, in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. During a joint counter-terror search operation, forces made contact with 2-3 foreign terrorists believed to be affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades, triggering a prolonged gunfight that lasted several hours. Eight Army personnel sustained injuries, mostly from grenade splinter wounds. Reinforcements from the Army, CRPF, and police were deployed to tighten the cordon, with advanced surveillance equipment and drones deployed to track the militants.
Why It Matters
This encounter represents part of intensified counter-terrorism operations in the Jammu region ahead of Republic Day, following intelligence inputs of renewed attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to infiltrate terrorists. It marks the third encounter in the Jammu region in 2026 and the second in Kishtwar district in approximately two months.
Timeline
6 Events
Terrorists remain holed up; operation ongoing
January 18, 2026, evening onwards
Following the prolonged gunfight, 2-3 terrorists remained holed up in the Singhpura area of Chhatru. A massive search operation continued to track down and neutralize the militants.
Gunfight continues; 8 soldiers injured
January 18, 2026, until 5:40 PM
Intermittent firing continued for several hours. Eight Army personnel sustained injuries, primarily splinter wounds from grenade blasts. Three injured soldiers were airlifted for medical treatment.
Reinforcements deployed; operation intensified
January 18, 2026, afternoon
Reinforcements from the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police were rushed to the area to tighten the cordon. Advanced surveillance equipment including drones, helicopters, and sniffer dogs were deployed to track militants.
Gunfight erupts; terrorists open fire
January 18, 2026, afternoon
Terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades in an attempt to break the security cordon. Troops retaliated, triggering intermittent exchanges of fire.
Security forces make contact with terrorists
January 18, 2026, afternoon
A search team established contact with a group of 2-3 foreign terrorists believed to be affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in the general area of Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo.
Operation Trashi-I launched in Chatroo
January 18, 2026, noon
The Army's White Knight Corps, in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched Operation Trashi-I, a joint counter-terror search operation in the Son Nar area, northeast of Chatroo, following intelligence about the presence of 2-3 foreign terrorists.