Srinagar: Four terrorists were killed in two separate encounters with security forces Sunday in Kupwara and Kulgam districts, police said.
While two terrorists were killed in Kupwara as many were killed in Kulgam, they said, adding some more terrorists are hiding and an operation was still underway in both the areas.
One of the terrorists killed in the Kupwara encounter was identified as a Pakistani affiliated with the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), they said, adding the identity of the second was being ascertained.
Police said the Kupwara encounter started after the forces launched an operation in the Lolab area of north Kashmir on the instance of an arrested terrorist, Showket Ahmed Sheikh.
“During the search of the hideouts, the hiding terrorists fired upon the force personnel who retaliated, in which one terrorist was killed,” the Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar said the killed terrorist has been identified as a Pakistani, linked with the LeT outfit.
The IGP Kashmir tweeted, “2-3 more #terrorists alongwith arrested terrorist trapped in ongoing #encounter.”
“The arrested terrorist also got trapped,” the police said.
Later, police said one more terrorist was killed in the Kupwara encounter. Heavy exchange of fire was going on, they said.
The police said the site of the second encounter was Damhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir.
They said two terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire so far.
IGP Kumar said one of them was affiliated with the LeT, while the other with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit.
“So far, 02 killed #terrorists identified as Haris Sharief of #Srinagar (LeT C category) & Zakir Padder of #Kulgam (JeM C cat). #Operation in progress,” the IGP said on Twitter.
By targeting innocent civilians including women & kids, unarmed policemen & outside labourers, terrorists can’t deter our efforts to bring peace in valley. Our CT operations will continue simultaneously in all 3 regions of Kashmir specially against foreign terrorists: IGP Kashmir
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 19, 2022
Three terrorist associates held in Kupwara
Security forces arrested three terrorist associates of the Al-Badr outfit in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, police said on Sunday.
“Acting on specific information regarding the movement of terrorists in the Wangam area of Handwara, a special checkpoint was established by security forces to nab them,” a police spokesman said.
During checking, three individuals moving in suspicious circumstances were apprehended, he said.
They were identified as Nazim Ahmed Bhat, Siraj Din Khan and Adil Gull, all residents of Khaipora, Kralgund.
“On their personal search, incriminating material and arms and ammunition including a pistol, a magazine, eight live rounds and two hand grenades were recovered,” the spokesman said.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested trio is linked to the proscribed terror outfit Al- Badr and they were tasked by Pakistan-based handlers to carry out terrorist acts in the area,” he said.
A case has been registered and further investigation is in progress, the spokesman said.
