Three terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday in the forest area of Gulshanpora Tral in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Three soldiers were injured during the encounter.
One of the critically wounded soldier was flown to the Military Command Hospital at Udhampur in Jammu for treatment. Initial reports said a soldier was martyred but the Army has not confirmed this. Army sources said the critically injured soldier was receiving treatment in hospital.
The other injured soldiers are being treated in the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.
At least six stone-pelters were injured as they clashed with security forces near the encounter spot. There were reports of more terrorists trapped in the area but three had been neutralised till last reports came in.
Reports said fresh firing had started in the area even as clashes were also going on at some distance from the encounter site.
The police said the gunfight broke out after Army’s 42 Rashtriya Rifles, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation following inputs about presence of a group of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in a hideout.
The killed terrorists have been identified as Tawseef Ahmed Thokar of Chursoo Awantipora, Shakoor of Laribal Tral, Adfar of Charsoo Awantipora, sources said. Tawseef, a MSc in mathematics, had reportedly joined terrorism seven months ago in May this year. The terrorists were wanted for their involvement in attacks at security force personnel.
The police said the operation was in the final stage and one or two militants were still believed to be hiding in the area and are engaged in the gunfight.