Operation Trashi-I: The 326-day high-altitude battle through snow and rain that crushed terror in J&K's Kishtwar

The operation site, located in the high-altitude Chatroo region, had no open grounds or roads, complicating movement and logistics for the security forces.

• Seven Pakistan-trained terrorists killed by security forces in Kishtwar
• Operation Trashi-I lasted 326 days in harsh high-altitude terrain
• JeM commander Saifullah among those eliminated in final encounter

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Indian security forces have successfully eliminated seven Pakistan-trained terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district after a nearly year-long high-altitude operation, officials said. The mission, codenamed Operation Trashi-I, was led by the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

"Relentless and painstaking high-altitude joint operations were conducted over 326 days in the Kishtwar region. Forces tracked terrorists in challenging conditions of cold, wet and freezing weather across daunting terrain, leading to multiple contacts," the White Knight Corps said in its statement on February 23.

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.

"Troops of White Knight Corps, J&K Police and CRPF, based on a well-knit intelligence grid established by civil and military intelligence agencies, have finally eliminated all seven dreaded terrorists in Chatroo, Kishtwar," the Army added in its statement on microblogging site X.

Months of planning, coordination, and technology

The mission drew on months of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-agency coordination. First-person view (FPV) drones, satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and secure communication networks were deployed to track the militants and coordinate operations across the challenging terrain.

"Technology in the form of FPV drones, satellite imagery, RPAs/UAVs, communication etc was continuously leveraged to assist in operations," the White Knight Corps said.

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

Three members of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), including the senior commander Saifullah, were killed in the final encounter. As per officials, the militants had opened fire from inside a mud house, which caught fire during the gunfight. The bodies were recovered, charred beyond recognition.

Hailing the Indian military, "The relentless pursuit & resolve of our forces, culminating in elimination of Saifullah and his associates, proves that nothing can stand against the determination, courage and valour of our men in uniform & Intelligence agencies," the White Knight Corps further noted.

Saifullah, a key poster boy of JeM, had been hiding in the region for several years and was linked to multiple deadly attacks. His elimination has been compared to the 2016 killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, noting that Saifullah had repeatedly tried to disrupt peace and instigate unrest in Kashmir.

Arms and ammunition recovered from the site of an encounter between security forces and militants.

Addressing the press on the operation, Major General APS Bal, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Counter-Insurgency Force (CIF) Delta, hailed the coordination between multiple forces and agencies, "This recently-concluded operation of Trash-I is the perfect example of perseverance, clarity of thought, proper planning, the vision which we had and most importantly relentless efforts of the months and integrated approach of each and every force and agency working over here.”

He added, "It is the perfect example of seamless coordination at all levels, from the troops on the ground to co-commanders, ADGs, IGs, the DGP and the army commander. Everybody contributed towards the success of this operation decisively".

Maj. Gen. Bal also applauded the calm and collaborative execution of the mission, "The way we operated in a very calm, composed, collective, collaborative manner is why the kind of success we achieved, especially without suffering any casualties or harm to any of our troops, except for the brave dog Tyson, who actually initiated the operation".

The operation has dealt a significant setback to the JeM terror network in the region. The army noted that local support networks had been aiding the militants, but precise intelligence and coordinated action helped dismantle these networks.

"There was a support system which was available to them and it cannot happen without the support system… it cannot be possible without any support, and the police is fully aware of it and will take requisite action against all of them," Maj. Gen. Bal said.

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!"