NEW DELHI: Security forces on Saturday re-established contact with terrorists in the Dolgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, triggering a fresh encounter as Operation Trashi-I entered its 14th day.
In a statement, the Army said that during the ongoing joint operation, troops of the White Knight Corps, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) made contact with militants in the early hours of January 31, 2026.
“During the ongoing joint Operation Trashi-I, contact with terrorists was re-established in the early hours of January 31, 2026, in the general area of Dolgam. A cordon has been established and operations are in progress,” the statement said.
The Army added that coordinated intelligence inputs from multiple agencies helped in planning and executing the operation on the ground. Following the contact, the area was immediately cordoned off, and search and combing operations were intensified.
The development comes hours after anti-terror operations were stepped up in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district against three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants. As part of the security measures, internet services were suspended in areas within a six-kilometre radius, including Singpura, Arigam, Dwathar, and Naidgam.
According to an order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir home department, the shutdown, in place since January 23, was extended until Friday at 11.59 pm to prevent the spread of misinformation and to facilitate security operations.
The operation, launched on January 18 in a snowbound region, has been hampered by harsh weather and difficult terrain. Despite multiple encounters, militants have managed to evade capture by exploiting dense forests, deep snow, and rugged landscapes.
On the first day of the operation, one paratrooper was killed and seven soldiers were injured. Subsequent encounters on January 22 at Mali Dana Top and on January 25 in the Janseer-Kandiwar area also ended with terrorists escaping under cover of thick vegetation and severe winter conditions.
Security forces have maintained heightened alertness across the region, with operations continuing to neutralise the remaining militants.
