Srinagar: Two terrorists, including a foreigner, and two soldiers were killed in an encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Monday, officials said here.
They said security forces launched a search operation in the Gudar forest area of Kulgam following information about the presence of terrorists there.
The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire at the positions of the security forces, officials said.
“Based on specific intelligence input by JKP, a joint search operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar in Guddar forest of #Kulgam,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army said in a post on X.
It said troops observed suspicious activity and, upon being challenged, the terrorists opened fire, “prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was eliminated and a junior commissioned officer suffered injuries”.
According to initial information, one of the terrorists killed was a local while the other one is believed to be a foreign militant having the code name of ‘Rehman Bhai’.
Three Army personnel were also injured in the incident, of whom two succumbed later at the hospital, the officials said.
Officials added that one Pakistani and one local terrorist have been killed and the operation is on. “Three soldiers sustained injuries in the encounter and were shifted to an Army hospital, where two of them succumbed,” they said.
The Kashmir Zone Police wrote on X: “Based on specific intelligence, an encounter has started in the Guddar forest of Kulgam. SOG of J&K Police, Army and CRPF are on the job. Further details to follow.”
Later in the evening Army wrote on X: “Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts, Sub Perbhat Gaur and L/Nk Narender Sindhu, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. Operation continues.”
Senior police and Army officials are monitoring the operation. Director General of Police (DGP) Jammu and Kashmir, Nalin Prabhat, also visited the site of the ongoing encounter.
