Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir | January 19, 2026

A Special Forces commando of the Indian Army was killed in action during a fierce encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in the remote Singpura area of Kishtwar district, officials confirmed on Monday. The soldier, Havildar Gajendra Singh, a resident of Uttarakhand, was critically injured during the initial exchange of fire and later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

The encounter took place on Sunday afternoon in the dense Sonnar forest belt near Chatroo, when a joint team of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search operation based on intelligence inputs. During the operation, the security forces came face to face with two to three foreign terrorists, believed to be JeM operatives. The terrorists opened indiscriminate fire and hurled grenades in an attempt to break the security cordon, leaving nine security personnel injured.

The intense gunfight continued for several hours but had to be paused overnight due to difficult terrain, thick forest cover and fading light. Five injured soldiers were treated at a nearby medical facility, while three critically wounded personnel, including Havildar Gajendra Singh, were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur, where he later made the supreme sacrifice.

The White Knight Corps, based in Nagrota, paid tribute to the fallen soldier. In a statement, the Army said Havildar Gajendra Singh laid down his life while bravely executing a counter-terrorism mission under Operation Trashi-I. Senior Army officers expressed deep condolences and said the force stands firmly with the bereaved family in this moment of grief.

With daylight on Monday, security forces resumed the operation with renewed intensity. Additional troops from the Army, CRPF and J&K Police have been deployed to seal all escape routes. Drones, sniffer dogs and advanced surveillance equipment are being used to locate the terrorists hiding in the forest area. Officials said the cordon has been tightened and efforts are underway to neutralise the militants.

This is the third major terror encounter in the Jammu region this month, following similar gunfights in Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and January 13. Security has been further strengthened across forest belts in Kishtwar, Doda and Udhampur, especially ahead of Republic Day, amid intelligence inputs about attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists into the region.

Army Commando Killed in Kishtwar Encounter, Search On for Jaish Terrorists

A Special Forces soldier was killed during a fierce encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in the Singpura area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army said Havildar Gajendra Singh, a resident of Uttarakhand, was seriously injured during the initial exchange of fire on Sunday and later died while being treated.

The encounter began in the Sonnar forest near Chatroo when a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search operation. During the operation, two to three foreign terrorists opened heavy fire and threw grenades to escape the security cordon. In the attack, nine security personnel were injured.

The gunfight continued for several hours and was paused overnight due to thick forest cover and tough terrain. While some injured soldiers were treated locally, three critically wounded personnel were airlifted to Udhampur Command Hospital, where Havildar Gajendra Singh later made the supreme sacrifice. The Army’s White Knight Corps paid tribute, praising his bravery and service.

On Monday morning, security forces resumed the operation with extra reinforcements from the Army, CRPF and J&K Police. Drones and sniffer dogs are being used to track the terrorists, and all escape routes have been sealed. Security has been tightened across Kishtwar, Doda and Udhampur ahead of Republic Day due to fresh terror alerts.