A fierce gun battle broke out in the Chhatroo area of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, ending with Casualties of the Indian armed forces, but the Armed Opposition is Unclear.
Kishtwar, J&K (May 24, 2025): A two-day-long gunfight between the Indian Army and armed opposition fighters in the remote mountainous region at Chhatroo village of Kishtwar district has ended with at least one soldier killed and unconfirmed claims of militant casualties. The exchange of fire, which began on Wednesday, saw a fierce but brief engagement on Thursday before contact with the armed fighters was lost.
Clashes and Casualties
According to Indian Army officials, the operation was launched following specific intelligence about the presence of armed militants in the higher reaches of Kishtwar. The encounter turned deadly when troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and local police cordoned off the area.
In the initial exchange of fire, four Indian Army soldiers were critically injured, and later one succumbed to his injuries. The army claims that two members of the armed opposition were also killed in the operation, but no bodies have been recovered so far, raising questions about the veracity of the claim.
No Further Contact with the Armed Opposition.
After Thursday’s exchange, security forces conducted extensive searches but found no trace of the armed fighters. "The area is rugged and densely forested, making operations challenging," said a senior police officer. "We suspect the militants may have either escaped or their bodies are yet to be located."
Local sources reported heavy troop movement and intermittent gunfire over the past 48 hours, with residents in nearby villages advised to stay indoors. The lack of recovered militant bodies has led to skepticism among some observers, with pro-armed opposition groups accusing the army of exaggerating claims.
Background and Rising Tensions
Kishtwar, part of the Chenab Valley, has seen sporadic combat activities of the armed opposition in recent years, though it remains less volatile compared to South Kashmir. The latest clash comes amid heightened military operations across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly after a series of attacks on security forces in the region.
Authorities have not yet identified the militant group involved in the encounter. Media claims that the top commander of Jesh-e-Mohammad Saifullah surrounded to security forces, and some media claims he was the top commander of LeT, yet no confirmation.
Following the encounter, additional forces have been deployed to conduct search operations in nearby areas. The army has vowed to continue operations until the region is "completely sanitized."
Meanwhile, political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir have called for restraint, urging both security forces and militants to avoid actions that could escalate violence in the region. The most condemnable aspect of the conflict, be it in Jammu and Kashmir or in Baluchistan of Pakistan, is that the non-combatant people have been targeted for political objectives, which is a war crime.
Conclusion
As the operation concludes, questions remain over the fate of the members of the armed opposition reportedly killed. With no bodies recovered and no further contact established, the encounter adds to the long history of disputed claims in Kashmir’s counterinsurgency operations. The sad aspect is that both India and Pakistan failed to give a chance to democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, rather to look at the question through a narrow, narrow-minded nationalist lens of ancient tribal thinking.
The slain soldier’s body has been sent for last rites, with tributes pouring in from military and political leaders. Meanwhile, local residents remain on edge, fearing further clashes in the days ahead.
Reported by United Kashmir News | Last Updated: May 24, 2025.
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