In a major operation, five terrorists were on Thursday killed in two separate encounters in the central and north Kashmir. Among the slain terrorists, one was a Pakistani national. Bodies of other terrorists were being identified.
An Army soldier was injured in the encounter. A 15-year-old boy was also injured when the village youth pelted stones at the security forces to provide opportunity to the terrorists to escape.
According to Army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia, four terrorists were killed in an encounter in the Futlipura (Budgam) village and a Pakistani terrorist was eliminated in the Sagipura village near Sopore in Baramulla district. The operation in Sagipura was still continuing.
Following intelligence reports, security forces cordoned the Fatlipura village and launched search operation for the terrorists. As the security forces consisting of the Army, CRPF and J&K Police closed in on the hiding terrorists, the security forces were fired upon triggering the encounter.
A civilian, Sinar Ahmad (15) was injured in a clash when a mob indulged in stone pelting at a convoy of the Army. He has been shifted to the hospital. Internet services have been suspended in the district to prevent spread of rumours.
Killing of these terrorists has come a day after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that terrorism cannot be controlled by only killing the terrorists. Upbeat on the successful operation, the J&K Police DGP SP Vaid said on Thursday: “The collective efforts of JKP, Army, CRPF and people of Kashmir have led to neutralisation of more than 200 terrorists in 2017 alone. This marks a huge landmark for establishing peace and stability in J&K and our country.”