By Roots Alert
January 18, 2026
A fierce gunbattle broke out early Sunday morning in the upper reaches of Kishtwar district, marking a significant escalation in the security forces’ ongoing crackdown on terror modules attempting to revive militancy in the Chenab Valley region.
According to ground reports received by Roots Alert, a joint team of the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K Police launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the dense forested area following “actionable intelligence” regarding the presence of a heavily armed group of terrorists.
The Operation Details
Sources close to the operation confirmed that contact was established around 5:30 AM when the hiding terrorists opened fire on the advancing search party. The exchange of fire is reportedly intense, with the militants using the difficult, snow-covered terrain to their advantage.
Top security officials suspect the trapped group belongs to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a deliberate shift from the Lashkar modules usually seen in this belt. Two to three terrorists are believed to be encircled.
“The area has been completely cordoned off. Lights have been installed to prevent any escape attempts under the cover of darkness as evening approaches,” a police official stated on condition of anonymity.
Revival Concerns in Chenab Valley
This encounter is critical as it underscores a worrying trend: the push by handlers across the border to reignite violence in the peaceful pockets of the Jammu region, specifically Kishtwar and Doda. While mainstream narratives often focus on the Kashmir Valley, the “quiet” activation of over-ground workers (OGWs) in these hilly districts poses a fresh challenge to the security grid.
Local villagers in nearby hamlets have been advised to stay indoors, and traffic on the approaching link roads has been halted to ensure civilian safety.
The Roots Perspective
For the residents of Kishtwar, today’s gunfire is a grim reminder that despite claims of “total normalcy,” the ground reality remains fragile. The presence of foreign terrorists deep inside the Jammu region indicates a breach in the traditional infiltration checks. As the operation continues into the night, the priority remains the neutralization of the threat with zero collateral damage to the indigenous population.
(This is a developing story. Roots Alert will update this report as official details are released.)
