Exclusive Ground Zero Report on Third Encounter in a Week in Kishtwar’s Chatroo Belt Amid Snowbound Anti-Terror Ops Location-Kishtwar A fresh encounter erupted between security forces and terrorists in the Chatroo belt of Kishtwar district late last night, officials said. On one hand, the nation is celebrating the 77th Republic Day, while on the other, brave security forces are engaged in a fierce encounter with terrorists in the snowbound forests of Kishtwar. The gunfight broke out around 10:30 pm in the Janseer–Kandiwar forest area when a joint team of 2nd Para (SF), Army, SOG and J&K Police was carrying out a search operation. An intermittent exchange of fire followed after terrorists opened fire on the forces. Surveillance through Helicopters, Drones and sniffer dogs going on. This marks the third encounter in the Chatroo belt within a week, as security forces intensify efforts to track down three Pakistani terrorists affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit. The area remains under tight cordon, reinforcements have been rushed in, and civilians have been advised to stay indoors as the anti-terror operation continues. The ongoing operation traces back to the January 18 encounter at Sonnar village near Mandral–Singhpora, in which one paratrooper was killed and seven soldiers sustained injuries. The terrorists had managed to flee by taking advantage of dense forests and rugged terrain. They were again intercepted on January 22, a few kilometres from the earlier encounter site, but once more slipped away. Despite the area receiving over two feet of snowfall on January 23, security forces have continued operations in the high-altitude, snow-covered terrain to eliminate the terrorists.