Srinagar: Two terrorists were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday (June 19), while another encounter was going on in Kulgam district in which another terrorist was killed. Two anti-terrorist operations are going on simultaneously in the north and south of Kashmir.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, “One Pakistani terrorist linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba has been killed, two to three terrorists along with the arrested terrorists are trapped in the ongoing encounter in Kupwara border district of North Kashmir.” The identity of the second terrorist killed is yet to be ascertained.
Earlier, Kupwara Police had launched a joint anti-terrorist operation with 28RR of the Army on the disclosure of an arrested terrorist Shaukat Ahmed Sheikh in Lolab area of Kupwara. “During the search of the hideout, the hiding terrorists fired upon the joint search parties and our team also retaliated, in which one terrorist was killed. The arrested terrorist also got trapped. The encounter is on,” said a police officer supervising the operation.
Meanwhile, another encounter took place in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. This is the second encounter in the Valley. The encounter broke out after the Jammu and Kashmir Police received specific information about the presence of terrorists at Gurjar Pora in DH Pora area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
A police officer said, “A joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation at Gujjar Pora following inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. The location was cordoned off, the hiding terrorists opened fire on the forces in retaliation and an encounter broke out.”
Confirming the firing, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, “Encounter has started in DH Pora area of Kulgam. Police and Army are on the job. Further details will be shared.”
Police sources said that the inputs are that two terrorists are trapped in the encounter, but the actual number can be said only after the operation is over.
Meanwhile, Handwara Police has arrested three Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Al-Badr terrorist organization at Wagam crossing on the highway in Kralgund area of Handwara and recovered arms and ammunition from them.
“In preliminary interrogation, the persons were identified as Nazim Ah Bhat, Siraj Din Khan and Adil Gul, all residents of Khapora, Kralgund,” a police officer said. In their search, a pistol along with a magazine and eight two rounds of grenades were also recovered from their possession.
The official said investigations reveal that all three are linked to the banned terror outfit al-Badr, and were tasked with carrying out terrorist acts in the region by Pakistan-based masters.
Significantly, since January this year, there have been 67 encounters in Kashmir and security forces have killed 109 terrorists, out of which 31 are Pakistanis. However, 16 security personnel and 18 civilians were also killed. While 46 active terrorists mostly hybrid terrorists have been arrested alive, and supporters of 189 terrorists including three terrorist associates of today have also been apprehended.