Indian Army has expanded its operational reach to higher and snowbound areas of Jammu and Kashmir to pursue and neutralise terrorists seeking to exploit the harsh winter conditions for concealment, defence sources said on Saturday (December 27, 2025).
According to sources in the Army, as the bone-chilling winter descends upon the Himalayas and the 40-day period of Chillai Kalan grips the region, the Army has intensified counter-terrorism operations across the Kishtwar and Doda districts. Traditionally, the onset of Chillai Kalan — the harshest phase of Kashmir’s winter from December 21 to January 31 — brings a temporary lull in terrorist activity as communication routes shut and mountainous areas become isolated due to heavy snowfall.
However, this winter has marked a decisive shift in the operational approach of the Army and other security forces. Instead of scaling down operations, the Army has adopted a proactive winter posture, establishing temporary bases and surveillance posts deep inside snow-covered terrain to maintain continuous pressure on potential terrorist hideouts.
A defining feature of this year’s operations has been an integrated and multi-agency approach. The Army is leading coordinated efforts involving the Civil Administration, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Special Operations Group, Forest Guards and Village Defence Guards. This close coordination enables seamless intelligence sharing, efficient use of resources and swift and precise execution of joint operations, the sources said.
