Sarvjeet Singh
Kathua, Jammu (India): Security forces on Friday evening neutralized a Pakistani terrorist belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed in the forests of Billawar in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The counter-terror operation was carried out by joint teams of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
Based on the intelligence, the joint teams launched a full-fledged Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Parhetar general area of Billawar on January 23, 2026.
“In a precise strike by the joint forces, one foreign terrorist has been eliminated. Search operations are continuing,” said a statement issued by the Indian Army.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, stated: “A small J&K Police team has neutralized a Pakistani Jaish terrorist in a joint operation with the Army and CRPF in the general area of Billawar, Kathua district.”
Though officials remained tight-lipped, sources told Diplomat Digital that security forces seized an M4 rifle from the slain Jaish terrorist. Further investigation is underway, and the search operation has been expanded to adjoining areas.
Prior to this encounter, security forces were already on high alert following a previous gunfight between terrorists and security forces in the upper reaches of Kathua district.
Security forces had been tracking the movement of the terrorists for a long time, eventually leading to the elimination of one foreign terrorist. The Jammu region has witnessed a rise in counter-terror operations over the past several months.DD
Kathua Correspondent
