The security forces on Friday said that three militants were gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district in an encounter, but on Saturday, the police clarified that two militants managed to flee.
The body of the militant, who was killed in a gunfight on Friday, was recovered on Saturday, police said. The terrorists belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
The encounter had taken place in Thumna village of Chatpora area of Pulwama district.
In a statement, the police said, “In the encounter, the killed terrorist was identified as Sajad Ahmad Shah, a resident of Gund, Chogul District Handwara. He was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT. He was involved in a number of attacks on the security establishments and civilian atrocities.”
On Friday, a youth had also lost his life in clashes between stone-pelters and security personnel near the encounter site, a police official had said.
Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Thumna village after getting information about the presence of militants there. Three militants were holed up inside a house. The security personnel managed to pinpoint the location of the ultras but the operation had to be delayed due to the presence of civilians in the house, said the officer.
A gunfight broke out between the security forces and the militants after all the civilians were evacuated.
Meanwhile, a mob began to hurl stones at the security forces involved in the anti-militancy operation.
At least five people received pellet or bullet injuries as the security forces retaliated, said the police officer.
He said one of the injured, 16-year-old Faizaan Ahmad Khan, was declared dead by doctors at a hospital.
(With agency inputs)