How Pakistani terrorists survived at 12,000 ft: Hideout kitchen in Kishtwar forest indicates local nexus

Following the recovery of a huge stock of public distribution rations, LPG cylinders, branded Basmati rice, desi ghee, and packed eatables from a hideout kitchen of Pakistani terrorists in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar, security forces have rounded up several locals for questioning.

The presence of high-quality rations in the kitchen of the underground hideout clearly indicates that some locals and Overground Workers (OGWs) were supplying these items to the terrorists who have been operating in the Kishtwar-Kathua mountain belt for more than a year.

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Survival of Pakistani terrorists in the forest area at a height of 12,000 ft, amid extreme cold weather and snow, was not possible without local help.

The terrorists, who seem trained in jungle warfare, managed to escape after hurling grenades at the Army’s search team. A Havildar of the Army’s Special Forces was killed, and seven soldiers were injured in the attack.

Reports say that several individuals were detained for questioning as a massive search operation to flush out the terrorists entered the third day in the upper reaches of Kishtwar. The operation was launched in the Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpura in Chatroo.

The White Knight Corps said that the operation continues in the general area of Sonnar, northeast of Chhatru. The cordon has been further tightened, and search operations have been expanded.

Troops of White Knight Corps, along with the J&K Police and the CRPF, remain deployed to dominate the area.

In solemn remembrance, White Knight Corps on Tuesday paid tribute to Braveheart Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a Counter Terrorism Operation in the Singpura area during the ongoing Operation TRASHI-I, on the intervening night of 18–19 January.

“His unwavering courage and commitment to duty exemplify the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His supreme sacrifice will continue to inspire generations”, the Army Corps said.

The GOC, White Knight Corps, along with all ranks, paid a solemn tribute to Havildar Gajendra Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a counter-terrorism operation in the Singpura area.

The half-cooked meals found by security forces in the kitchen of the terrorists indicate that they were cooking rice and boiling eggs when they noticed the Army’s search party coming towards their hideout. However, the terrorists managed to ambush the soldiers and escape from there.

Meanwhile, former DGP of J&K SP Vaid has raised questions on the well-stocked kitchen of the terrorists and said that basic policing appears to be amiss. He stressed the need to identify the OGWs who supplied rations to the terrorists.