2 terrorists killed in Anantnag encounter

Srinagar, Nov 2: Two terrorists were killed during a short gunfight with security forces in the Halkan Gali in Shangus, Larnoo area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday.

The security officials said that the operation was launched based on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area.

The official said that the joint teams of J&K Police, Army, and CRPF cordoned off the area following the inputs about the presence of the terrorists.

“As the forces inched closer to the spot where terrorists were present, they opened fire. But the security forces responded quickly resulting in a short gunfight. During the gunfight, two terrorists were killed,” the official said.

Later, a joint news conference was addressed at Wuzur, Qazigund Headquarters by Commander 2-Sector RR, Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Kashmir Range (SKR) Javed Ahmad Matoo.

Commander 2-Sector RR, Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan congratulated the soldiers of the Army and J&K Police saying that they carried out a successful operation in the area during Operation Halkan Gali.

“We have been receiving news of the operation in the Anantnag district of the PAF group for the past few months. On October 8, 2024, this group killed 162 TA’s Rifleman Hilal in the Sheikhpura area and then fled towards Kulgam,” Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan told reporters.

He said that the security agencies got a big surprise on receiving concrete news that this terrorist group had returned to the Larnoo area and was operating there.

“Following this news, the Army and J&K Police together made a joint plan and launched Operation Halkan Gali which consisted of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, 1 Para Special Forces, 7 Para Special Forces, and J&K Police," he said.

The Army Commander said that 70 soldiers of the Army noticed the movement of the terrorists and as soon as the terrorists approached, they were challenged by the soldiers.

“The terrorists resorted to firing following which the 70 soldiers carried out the operation with great bravery and patience,” he said.

Brigadier Chouhan said both the terrorists were killed in the operation.

“We have recovered heavy ammunition and weapons from these terrorists which include M4 Rifles, AK-47 Rifles, Grenades, and 3 IEDs,” he said.

Brigadier Chouhan said both the terrorists were part of many terrorist incidents including the operation on August 3 and 4, 2023, wherein they attacked an Army camp in Halang, Kulgam.

“They were involved in the killing of many non-locals and on October 7 and 8, they killed Rifleman Hilal," he said.

Brigadier Chouhan said the killing of both these terrorists had given a dent to LeT and PAF.

The Army commander identified one of the killed terrorists as Arbaaz Mir and said that he went to Pakistan in 2018 and received training there for a long time.

“He returned in 2022-23 and was involved in many terrorist activities," he said.

Brigadier Chouhan attributed the success of the operation to the people of Anantnag.

“They gave us their full support during the entire operation. This operation is a symbol of the synergy of all security forces in J&K and shows the readiness of the Army to establish peace in Kashmir,” he said.

Later, the DIG South Kashmir Range, Javed Ahmad Matoo while briefing about the operation said, “The J&K Police and Army soldiers surrounded the area in the morning.”

DIG Matoo said that based on the preliminary investigation, one of the terrorists was identified as Zahid Rashid from the Hassanpura area of Bijbehara.

“He killed a non-local labourer in April 2024 and after that joined the terrorist ranks. The other terrorist killed in this encounter was Arbaaz Mir from Qaimoh.

“He was missing since 2018 and joined the terrorist ranks in 2018. These two terrorists were involved in many terrorist activities in south Kashmir. They carried an attack on Army soldiers in Haalan,” DIG Matoo said.

He said that they received information about the presence of only two terrorists in the area.

“Several terrorists have been killed during the past several years in south Kashmir. There were many encounters in Adigam, Chinigam, Madargam in which many terrorists were killed,” he said.

DIG Matoo said that terrorists were trying to destabilise peace in south Kashmir but the security agencies were alert and ready to counter any terrorist design.

“The two terrorists were top-ranking terrorists. Their killing is a great success for the security forces,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Srinagar-based Army spokesman said that security forces were tracking the group’s activities for over a month.

“People's participation and coordination with security forces demonstrates our collective commitment to establish peace in Kashmir,” he said.

The spokesman said the operation highlights the relentless efforts of security forces to combat terrorism and ensure regional security.

“Elimination of this terrorist group will significantly impact terrorist organisation’s capabilities in the area,” he said.