Kishtwar, Jan 19 — An Indian Army personnel, who was among eight injured during a gunfight that broke out amid a cordon-and-search operation in a forested area of Kishtwar, succumbed to his injuries, officials said on Monday.
The encounter took place on Sunday when suspected militants allegedly lobbed grenades while attempting to escape the security cordon, officials said.
The Army identified the deceased as Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces. Paying tribute, the Army’s White Knight Corps said “the soldier made the supreme sacrifice while executing a counter-terrorism operation.”
“The GOC, White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Havildar Gajendra Singh of the Special Forces, who made the supreme sacrifice while gallantly executing a Counter Terrorism operation in the Singpura area during the ongoing Operation TRASHI-I on the night of January 19, 2026,” the White Knight Corps said in a post on X.
“We honour his indomitable courage, valour and selfless devotion to duty and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this hour of profound grief,” it added.
Initially, authorities had reported that three personnel were injured in the gunfight. The number was later revised to eight late Sunday night. On Monday, officials confirmed the death of one of the injured personnel.
This was the third gunfight reported this year during anti-militancy operations in the Jammu region. Earlier encounters took place in the Kahog and Najote forests of Kathua’s Billawar area on January 7 and January 13.
Last month, a police officer was killed during an operation at Soan village in Udhampur’s Majalta area.
Security forces have intensified operations ahead of Republic Day amid intelligence inputs suggesting attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push militants across the border, officials said.