As many as seven dreaded terrorists of the proscribed outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been eliminated during an 11-month-long operation in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir's mountainous Kishtwar district.
A day after eliminating three terrorists of JeM, including self-styled commander Saifullah, the Jammu-based White Knight Corps of the Indian Army on Monday said that seven terrorists were neutralised in a prolonged 326-day high-altitude joint operation in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps termed the operation "Gallant Perseverance" and said that relentless and painstaking efforts were undertaken in challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions in Kishtwar.
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— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) February 23, 2026
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Relentless and painstaking high-altitude joint operations were conducted over 326 days in the Kishtwar region. Forces tracked terrorists in challenging… pic.twitter.com/nIhH71RiOb
The Army said troops of the White Knight Corps, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), operated on the basis of a well-knit intelligence grid established by civil and military intelligence agencies. The forces tracked the terrorists in cold, wet, and freezing conditions across difficult mountainous terrain, leading to multiple encounters before finally eliminating all seven militants.
Advanced Technology Used in Operation
According to the post, advanced technology, including FPV drones, satellite imagery, RPAs/UAVs, and communication systems, was continuously leveraged to support the operation.
The Army said the elimination of Saifullah and his associates has dealt a major blow to the terror network operating in the region, adding that the success reflects the determination, courage, and valour of the forces and intelligence agencies. "We Serve, We Protect," the Corps stated in its message.
Army Confirms Killing of Saifullah
Security forces confirmed the killing of JeM top commander Saifullah during Sunday's encounter. Saifullah had earlier escaped from several encounters at Wanipora and Passarkut in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district.
Saifullah, a top commander of the Jaish outfit who had been operating in Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, and Udhampur districts for more than four years, was among the three slain terrorists. He had managed to evade security forces during multiple gun battles in the past.
This was further evidenced by the recovery of an M4 carbine and an AK-47 rifle from the encounter site. The M4 carbine had reportedly been taken by Saifullah during an earlier encounter in Doda last year. The M4 carbines are believed to have been supplied to terrorist commanders by the Pakistan Army.
The Chatroo forest belt has witnessed nearly half a dozen gunfights between terrorists and security forces since January 18, resulting in the martyrdom of a soldier and the killing of a Pakistani terrorist. While the soldier lost his life on January 18, the terrorist was eliminated on February 4.
