JeM commander among 3 terrorists killed in J&K's Kishtwar in encounter with security forces, charred bodies recovered

Notorious JeM commander was reportedly behind several attacks on security forces in the region after he infiltrated into J&K five years ago.

Updated on: Feb 23, 2026, 20:07:28 IST

By HT News Desk

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Three terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit have allegedly been killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district under Operation Trashi-I, the Indian Army's White Knight Corps said in a statement, adding that a joint operation by teams of J&K Police, Army and the CRPF was launched following credible intelligence inputs collated from the police and other intelligence agencies.

Security forces kill 3 terrorists (ANI/File Photo)

One of the two slain terrorists has been identified as notorious commander Saifullah, not HT has learnt, while the security forces have recovered two AK-47 rifles and other ammunitions from the site of encounter. The bodies of all the slain terrorists were charred beyond recognition as the mud house they were hiding in caught fire during the gunfight, PTI reported, citing officials.

Earlier, the Army had said that an encounter broke out in Passerkut in the Chatroo area of the district at about 10:30 am.

The teams received input about two Pakistani terrorists linked to the banned group Jaish-e-Mohammad being present there, officials told news agency PTI.

The terrorists, who were reportedly hiding inside a mud house at the foothills, opened fire as troops moved closer, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Notably, the Chatroo forest belt saw nearly six gunfights between terrorists and security forces last month, in which a soldier and a terrorist were killed.

Saifullah had infiltrated into India five years ago

JeM commander Saifullah had been active in the region ever since he infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir nearly five years ago. He was allegedly the mastermind behind several deadly attacks on security forces, including one in July 2024 that left four soldiers dead.

Saifullah had escaped a number of encounters in the past, PTI reported.

With inputs from Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

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HT News Desk
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