Jammu and Kashmir: 2 Terrorists Killed in Encounter With Security Forces in Pulwama; Search Ops Underway

Encounter underway in Panzgam village of Awantipora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. Two more terrorists are believed to be trapped in the area

New Delhi: Two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with security forces on Saturday morning in Panzgam village of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. One of the slain militants has been identified as Showkat Ahmad Dar, a resident of Panzgam village. He belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit. The identity and group affiliation of the other slain militant is being ascertained.

An encounter had broken out between terrorists and troops of 130 Battalion CRPF, 55 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operations Group (SOG) at 2.10 AM. “Two militants have been killed and their bodies have been recovered. Although firing exchanges have now stopped, the operation is still on,” a police officer told IANS.

The latest gun battle comes days after six militants and a civilian were killed in two encounters in Shopian and Pulwama districts in the state on Thursday. Two soldiers were also killed in the operations.

An Army jawan, who was injured in Shopian encounter succumbed yesterday. “The injured Army jawan Rohit Kumar Yadav has succumbed at the hospital and attained martyrdom,” a police spokesman said.

Rohit Kumar Yadav had suffered grievous injuries during a gun battle with three militants in Handew area of Shopian on Thursday. All the three ultras were killed. The spokesman identified the slain militants as Yawar Ahmad Dar, Shakeel Ahmad Dar and Ishtiyaq Bhat. They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

“As per police records, Yawar Dar was involved in planning and executing series of terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities. He was involved in the terror attack on Zainpora Police Guard last year in which four policemen were martyred,” he said.