Operation Trashi-I: A 326-Day Counter-Terrorism Operation in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir

Indian Security Forces Eliminate 7 Pakistan-Trained Terrorists in Kishtwar Operation

Operation Trashi-I, a nearly year-long high-altitude operation, has successfully eliminated 7 Pakistan-trained terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. The mission, led by the Indian Army's White Knight Corps, was conducted in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The operation, which spanned 326 days, involved relentless and painstaking joint operations in challenging conditions of cold, wet, and freezing weather across daunting terrain. The terrorists, trained by the Pakistani Military, used the difficult terrain and dense forests to evade capture. The operation site, located in the high-altitude Chatroo region, had no open grounds or roads, complicating movement and logistics for the security forces.

Key Figures:

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• Saifullah, a senior commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), was killed in the final encounter. He was a key poster boy of JeM and had been hiding in the region for several years, linked to multiple deadly attacks.
• Maj. Gen. APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta, hailed the coordination between multiple forces and agencies.

Operation Details:

• The mission drew on months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-agency coordination, leveraging technology such as first-person view (FPV) drones, satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and secure communication networks.
• The security forces stayed at the mountainous operation site throughout harsh winters, braving freezing temperatures and rain, demonstrating resilience and commitment to the mission.
• The final encounter resulted in the elimination of 3 members of JeM, including Saifullah, who opened fire from inside a mud house, which caught fire during the gunfight.

Impact:

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• The operation has dealt a significant setback to the JeM terror network in the region, dismantling local support networks that had been aiding the militants.
• The White Knight Corps called the operation "a massive blow to the terror network" and reaffirmed the commitment of India's armed forces, "We Serve, We Protect!"