2 terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter

Srinagar, June 3: Two local terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

According to a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer, the encounter took place in Pulwama’s Nehama village after a joint team of security personnel, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 50 RR, and paramilitary forces, launched an operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists.

“As the joint parties of security forces zeroed in on their target, the terrorists opened fire at them,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said and termed it a significant development for J&K Police and other security forces on the terrorism front. “The fire was returned, triggering an encounter in which two terrorists were killed.”

The IGP identified the killed terrorists as Riyaz Ahmad Dar and Rayees Ahmad, both from Kakapora village in Pulwama.

During the exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces, a house in the vicinity caught fire and was damaged.

Police said that the operation was carefully coordinated to minimise the collateral damage.

On Monday morning, J&K Police posted on X. “#Encounter has started at Nihama area of District #Pulwama. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice.”

Later in the afternoon, Police said that the bodies of terrorists had been recovered.

“Bodies of 02 #terrorists killed in the anti-terrorist operation recovered so far. Identity & affiliation being ascertained. #Operation in progress. Further details shall follow @JmuKmrPolice,” J&K Police posted on X.

Army said that the operation was launched jointly with J&K Police on specific inputs of the presence of terrorists in the area.

“OP NAHOM, #PulwamaBased on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice on the intervening night of 02-03 Jun 24 in general area Nahom, Pulwama. A cordon was established and a firefight ensued resulting in the elimination of two terrorists. Further search of the area is in progress.#Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps -Indian Army posted on X.