Srinagar: Three militants were killed and a civilian injured in an encounter in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Tikken area in the early hours, Wednesday, following information about presence of militants there, a police official said.
Reports reaching here said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated. Two militants were killed in the initial stages of the operation, police officials said, adding that a civilian also sustained injuries during the exchange of fire between the two sides. Later, the third militant was also killed.
Giving further details, a press release said that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in Tiken area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Pulwama Police, 55RR and 182, 183 BNs CRPF in the said area.
During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter, the press release said adding that the militants were hiding in the house of one Zamir Sadiq Lone who also received gunshot injuries and was evacuated to hospital for the treatment.
In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Mehraj-ud-Din Lone resident of Arigam Pulwama, Umer Ali resident of Dadsara Tral and Umar Farooq resident of Sugan Shopian. All the slain militants were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr, the press release said.
As per police records, the killed militants were part of a groups involved in many terror crime cases including planning and executing several major terror attacks on security forces, the press release added.
The press release said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.
Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead bodies of the killed terrorists shall be sent to Baramulla for their burial & last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the killed terrorists shall be allowed to participate in the last rites at Baramulla, the press release added.
Requesting people to cooperate with police till the area was sanitized and made clear of any explosives, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. (With inputs from PTI)
