Indian Forces on the Hunt as Jammu Civilian Killings Point to Saifullah Squad of Jaish-e-Mohammed

Jammu, India – The Jammu division, which was considered relatively terror-free in recent years, is now witnessing a resurgence of terrorism, particularly in the Bani-Machhedi Range of Kathua and Udhampur districts. A string of mysterious killings and abductions in Billawar has sent shockwaves across the region, with security forces suspecting the Saifullah-led terrorist group to be behind the attacks.

Recently, the bodies of the three victims—32-year-old Yogesh, 40-year-old Darshan, and 14-year-old Varun—were discovered in a river in the Malhar area on Saturday evening, days after they had gone missing from a wedding procession. Emerging intelligence reports suggest that the killings were meticulously planned by militants with insider knowledge of security forces' movements.

Terror Trail: From April 2024 to March 2025

The First Signs: April 2024

For nearly three years, the Pir Panjal Range, particularly Rajouri and Poonch, remained a hotbed of terrorist activity. However, the rest of the Jammu division was largely free from insurgency. This changed on April 28, 2024, when an armed group executed a brutal targeted killing of a Village Defence Guard (VDG) in Chochru Heights (Bani-Machhedi Range).

Locals later reported sightings of 8 to 10 heavily armed terrorists in the region between April’s second and third weeks, indicating that the infiltrators had entered Kathua-Udhampur’s forested belt around that time. Intelligence sources confirmed that the terrorists belonged to the Kashmir Tigers (KT)—a proxy wing of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Terrorists Spreading Across Jammu Division: May–June 2024

In the following months, security forces and locals observed a pattern of infiltration. Multiple groups of terrorists moved through the Bani-Machhedi routes, heading toward Doda, Kishtwar, and Kokernag. Some major infiltration corridors included:

• Samba–Billawar–Machhedi–Bani–Doda–Kishtwar
• Sunderbani–Billawar–Machhedi–Bani–Doda–Kishtwar
• Gurdaspur–Kathua–Doda–Kishtwar–Kokernag
• Akhnoor Sector
• Hiranagar Sector

June 2024: The First Firefights

In Saida Sukhal, Hiranagar (Kathua) on June 11-12, security forces gunned down two infiltrated terrorists. However, two others escaped after being spotted on June 13.

Later that month, a Tactical Operating Base (TOB) in Chattargala, Doda, was attacked by terrorists, leaving multiple jawans injured. The attack indicated an established presence of KT/JeM operatives across Doda and Kathua. On June 26, in a major counter-terror operation, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SoG) and 4 Rashtriya Rifles neutralized three terrorists in Gandoh, Doda.

July 8, 2024: Deadly Ambush on Indian Army in Kathua

One of the most brutal attacks occurred on July 8, when a group of at least 8 terrorists ambushed a convoy of 22 Garhwal Rifles (QRT + Truck) in Badnota, Machhedi (Kathua). The attack resulted in:

• 4 soldiers attaining Veergati (KIA)
• 6 others were critically injured

Following the attack, the terrorist group split—some headed to Doda, while others moved towards Basantgarh. Their movement was tracked in Kudwa, Sadrota, Raulka, and Kindli, where they forcefully took shelter in dhoks (temporary shelters of Gujjars and Bakarwals) and demanded food from locals.

August 2024: Civilians Targeted in Terrorist Killings

As security forces ramped up combing operations, the terrorists retaliated against civilians. In Assar Forest, a local resident, Maan Singh, accidentally encountered a group of five terrorists. To eliminate any witnesses, the terrorists strangled him to death.

On August 14, a joint operation led by SFs resulted in one terrorist being neutralized, while four others escaped. One Army jawan also attained Veergati during the operation.

September 2024: Saifullah Group Strikes Again

By September 2024, the terrorists regrouped in Basantgarh, Udhampur, a region connected to the Bani-Machhedi range. In a swift operation on September 11, Para SF operatives ambushed the group, killing two terrorists, but the remaining terrorists escaped.

Later that month, on September 28-29, security forces encircled five terrorists in a house in Dhanu Parol, Billawar. During the gunfight:

• J&K Police (JKP) killed 1 terrorist
• 4 terrorists managed to escape despite reinforcements from the Rashtriya Rifles
• 2 JKP personnel were injured, 1 attained Veergati

October 2024 – February 2025: Terror Shadow Over Billawar

Throughout October–December 2024, locals continued reporting terrorist movements in Billawar, Sadrota, Resal, Dhanu Parol, and Duggain. Security forces responded by launching multiple Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) in January and February 2025 with units from Garh Rifles, Gorkha Rifles, 1 Para SF, CRPF, and SoG.

February 2025: Mysterious Civilian Killings

Despite the heavy military presence, terror struck Billawar again. On February 16, 2025, two farmers were found dead in the region where terrorist movements had been recently observed. Locals suspected a terror angle, prompting security forces to intensify their search.

March 2025: Civilians Go Missing

On March 7-8, 2025, three civilians, including a 14-year-old minor, went missing from the same Billawar region after heading toward Malad. Given the past terror-linked killings, locals suspect the involvement of Saifullah’s group. Massive search operations are currently underway.

Who is Saifullah? The Suspected Mastermind Behind the Kathua-Doda-Udhampur Attacks

Security sources believe the Saifullah group is responsible for the Billawar killings and abductions. Intelligence suggests that Saifullah is a local terrorist from Billawar who crossed over to POJK in his teenage years. He reportedly later returned to lead the Foreign Terrorist (FT) infiltrations due to his deep knowledge of the terrain.

His group initially had 10-11 members, but 4 have been eliminated so far. 6 terrorists, including Saifullah, remain active and continue orchestrating attacks.

Summer 2025: A Pivotal Moment for Security in Jammu

With summer approaching, security agencies expect an increase in infiltration from Kishtwar, Doda, and Kathua. Intelligence suggests multiple terrorist groups are already on Launch Pads (LPs), preparing to enter Indian territory.

Meanwhile, Indian Special Forces are also preparing for intensified counter-terror operations in the upper reaches of the Jammu division. Experts warn of potential high-profile encounters and attacks in the coming months as the security forces aim to eliminate the remaining Saifullah-led terrorists.

The mysterious killings and abductions in Billawar have exposed a new terror threat in Jammu. With Saifullah’s group still at large, security forces face a critical challenge in neutralizing the remaining militants before they regroup for more attacks. This summer is expected to witness multiple gunfights, and the battle for Jammu’s security is far from over.