Shabir Ahmad
In an unwavering commitment to eradicating cross-border terrorism, the Indian Army, alongside Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has successfully concluded two high-stakes counter-terrorism operations in the rugged terrains of Jammu and Kashmir.
Operations Kiya and Trashi-I, launched in the wake of credible intelligence about infiltrated terrorists, have neutralized nine Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, including high-value targets, delivering a crippling blow to Pakistan-backed terror networks and sending an unequivocal message: India’s armed forces will hunt down threats relentlessly, no matter the odds.
These operations, conducted mere weeks apart in the volatile Pir Panjal and Chenab valleys, underscore the seamless coordination among security agencies and their unyielding resolve amid extreme weather and treacherous landscapes. As the nation grapples with the persistent shadow of terrorism, these successes not only bolster morale within the security apparatus but also reaffirm to terror outfits that safe havens within Indian territory are a myth.
The curtain fell on Operation Kiya on February 4, 2026, when two Pakistani JeM operatives were gunned down in a fierce firefight in the dense forests of Basantgarh in Udhampur district. What began as a routine intelligence-led cordon around 4 p.m. that evening escalated into a multi-hour encounter, showcasing the precision and rapid response capabilities of the joint forces.
Based on specific inputs about militants holed up in the Johpar-Marta village area of Ramnagar tehsil, troops from the Army’s Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta under the White Knight Corps, in tandem with J&K Police and CRPF, swiftly sealed escape routes and advanced into the forested stretch. The terrorists, believed to be recently infiltrated handlers tasked with revitalizing dormant JeM modules in the region, opened fire upon detection, triggering an intense exchange.
“Operation Kiya. In an intelligence-based joint operation, contact has been established with the terrorists by the troops of CIF Delta, White Knight Corps, J&K Police and CRPF at around 4 pm today in the general area of Basantgarh. A cordon has been established. Firefight is on. Operation is in progress,” the White Knight Corps announced on X, highlighting the real-time dynamics of the engagement.
By nightfall, the operation concluded with the recovery of two bodies, along with a cache of arms including AK-series rifles, grenades, and Pakistan-embossed ammunition—clear indicators of foreign sponsorship. The slain militants, yet to be formally identified, were part of a larger infiltration bid aimed at targeting soft civilian sites in the Jammu region, according to preliminary interrogations of overground workers nabbed in the preceding weeks.
Udhampur’s challenging topography—steep hills, thick undergrowth, and limited visibility—posed significant hurdles, yet reinforcements poured in without delay, ensuring no escape. J&K Police officials described the outcome as a “pre-emptive strike that disrupted a budding terror cell,” preventing potential attacks during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra season.
Operation Trashi-I: A 326-Day Odyssey of Perseverance
If Operation Kiya exemplified swift retribution, Operation Trashi-I stands as a testament to endurance and strategic foresight. Spanning an astonishing 326 days from March 2025 to February 23, 2026, this marathon hunt unfolded across the snow-capped peaks and mist-shrouded valleys of Kishtwar district’s Chhatru region, culminating in the elimination of seven battle-hardened JeM terrorists.
Initiated following intelligence about a JeM fidayeen squad—comprising Pakistani nationals trained by the Pakistan Army—sheltering in remote, roadless forests, the operation involved sustained deployment of Army units from the White Knight Corps, SOG commandos, and CRPF personnel. The terrain, devoid of open grounds and riddled with natural hideouts, allowed the militants to evade capture through repeated skirmishes, retreating deeper into the wilderness.
Security forces, undeterred, leveraged cutting-edge technology: first-person-view (FPV) drones for reconnaissance, unmanned aerial vehicles for overhead surveillance, satellite imagery for mapping, and a robust communications grid to maintain operational cohesion. Local shepherds and villagers provided invaluable human intelligence, tipping off patrols about fleeting sightings.
The winter of 2025–26 proved the ultimate test, with forces hunkered down in sub-zero temperatures, battling blizzards and relentless rain without respite.
“Rain or snow, we stayed put,” recounted an anonymous SOG operative in a post-operation debrief.
Encounters flared sporadically—the first major clash in July 2025 claimed one militant, but the group scattered, prolonging the chase. By December, advanced drone strikes neutralized two more, including logistics handlers.
The finale came in a coordinated assault on February 22–23, when three top JeM commanders, including the elusive Saifullah—JeM’s notorious “poster boy,” often likened to slain Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani—were cornered and eliminated in the Dichhar area. Saifullah, who had evaded capture for over a year while orchestrating ambushes on security convoys, carried a bounty of ₹20 lakh. The haul included sophisticated explosives, satellite phones, and forged documents linking back to handlers across the Line of Control (LoC).
“A massive blow to the terror network. We serve, we protect,” proclaimed the White Knight Corps on X, encapsulating the operation’s triumph. Major General A.P.S. Bal, speaking to The Economic Times, lauded the effort as a showcase of “perseverance, planning, and seamless coordination,” emphasizing that it dismantled an entire infiltration module.
A Unified Front: Implications for National Security
Viewed together, Operations Kiya and Trashi-I represent a paradigm shift in India’s counter-terrorism doctrine—from reactive firefighting to proactive, intelligence-driven elimination. The neutralization of nine JeM operatives—eight of whom were foreigners—has severed key supply lines, with recovered intelligence revealing plans for synchronized strikes on military installations and civilian hubs.
Experts hail these operations as a “strong message to terror groups,” particularly JeM, which has intensified activities since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
“Pakistan’s proxies thought our mountains were impenetrable; they’ve learned otherwise,” said Lt Gen (Retd) D.S. Hooda, former Northern Army Commander, in an interview with NDTV.
The operations also highlight the efficacy of tri-services synergy, with the Indian Air Force providing logistical airlifts during Trashi-I’s harshest phases.
Yet challenges persist. Ongoing searches in Kishtwar suggest residual threats, and cross-border firing along the LoC has spiked, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance and diplomatic pressure on Islamabad. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, weary from decades of violence, these victories offer a glimmer of normalcy—fewer shadows in the valleys, more footsteps on pilgrimage trails.
As spring thaws the snows of Pir Panjal, one thing is clear: India’s guardians stand vigilant. The message to terror architects across the border is stark—incursion invites annihilation.
In the words of a senior CRPF officer:
“We’ve turned their safe houses into graves. And we’ll do it again.”
This article is based on official briefings, on-ground reports, and statements from security agencies. The author can be reached at welfare166@gmail.com.
