Published: 21 January 2026General
Operation Trashi-I Intensifies in Kishtwar Forests; Joint Counter-Terror Sweep in J&K
Security forces intensified Operation Trashi-I on its fourth day on January 22, 2026, a major multi-day counter-terrorism and area-domination operation in the dense forests of the Chatroo region in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was being conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police including the Special Operations Group (SOG), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), with combined strength of several hundred personnel.
The operation aims to systematically track, neutralise, and dismantle terrorist groups and their support networks operating in the remote forested belts of Kishtwar, one of the most challenging terrains in the Jammu division. Forces deployed advanced aerial surveillance including drones and helicopters, sniffer dog teams, and specially trained forest patrol units across a wide operational area at altitudes exceeding 8,000 feet above sea level. The dense forest canopy and rugged mountain terrain made movement and communication particularly difficult.
Operation Trashi-I was launched following increased infiltration attempts along the Line of Control and multiple encounter reports in the greater Jammu region during the preceding winter months. Intelligence inputs indicated the presence of at least three to four foreign terrorists who had infiltrated into the Kishtwar forests from across the border. The operation represents a significant shift in the security establishment's approach, with forces maintaining prolonged area domination rather than short-duration cordon-and-search operations that had previously allowed militants to slip through.
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Linked questionMedium
Operation Trashi-I, a counter-terrorism operation, was conducted in which region of Jammu & Kashmir?
Explanation · Correct answer BOperation Trashi-I was a multi-day counter-terrorism operation in the Chatroo region of Kishtwar district, J&K. It was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, J&K Police (including SOG), and CRPF using aerial surveillance, sniffer dogs, and forest patrol teams.
Frequently asked questions
What is Operation Trashi-I and where was it conducted?
**Operation Trashi-I** is a **joint counter-terrorism operation** conducted in the forests of **Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir**. The operation intensified with a coordinated sweep by **Indian Army, CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), J&K Police, and Special Operations Group (SOG)**. Kishtwar's dense forests and mountainous terrain have historically provided cover for terrorist infiltration routes between Pakistan and Jammu region.
Why is Kishtwar district significant for counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir?
**Kishtwar district** in Jammu region is strategically significant because its dense **Himalayan forests and high-altitude passes** provide cover for terrorist movements. The district borders **Doda and Bhaderwah** — areas with historical militancy presence. Post-Article 370 abrogation (2019), the Indian security forces have intensified operations in Jammu's hilly districts where **Pakistani-backed militant groups** attempt to maintain presence and establish new routes.
What is the joint counter-terror framework operating in Jammu and Kashmir?
J&K counter-terrorism involves a **multi-agency framework**: **Indian Army's Chinar Corps** (based in Kashmir) and **White Knight Corps** (Jammu), **CRPF** (maintaining law and order), **J&K Police's SOG (Special Operations Group)** (intelligence-driven anti-militancy operations), **BSF** (border management), **IB (Intelligence Bureau)**, and **RAW** (cross-border intelligence). Operations like **Trashi-I** exemplify this joint approach with unified command structures.
What is the current status of militancy in the Jammu region post-2020?
Post-Article 370 revocation (2019), militancy in the **Jammu region** has seen a concerning uptick, especially in **Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Kishtwar, and Doda districts**. Pakistan-backed groups like **The Resistance Front (TRF)** and **Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)** have shifted focus to Jammu's Hindu-majority areas to destabilize the region. Security forces have intensified operations, with several **encounters and cordon-and-search operations (CASOs)** conducted monthly.
What is the significance of counter-terror operations in forests and mountains of J&K for national security?
Forest and mountain counter-terror operations in **J&K** are critical for: preventing terrorist **infiltration** from Line of Control (LoC), interdicting **weapon/explosives smuggling**, disrupting **over-ground worker (OGW) networks**, and maintaining psychological pressure on **remnant militant groups**. The terrain advantage that terrorists exploit in the **Pir Panjal range** and Himalayan forests requires specialized **counter-insurgency and jungle warfare** techniques from Indian security forces.
