Sopore encounter: Slain terrorists seem foreigners, says IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, June 19: Two terrorists were killed while a policeman and an Army soldier were injured in an anti-terror operation in the Rafiabad area of Sopore in north Kashmir on Wednesday.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that the killed terrorists seem foreigners and the operation was still underway.

The encounter broke out in the Hadipora area of Rafiabad in Sopore on Wednesday afternoon after J&K Police, 32 Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF cordoned off the area on specific information about the presence of terrorists in the area.

As soon as joint parties started searches, they came under heavy fire from hiding terrorists. The fire was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

“#Encounter has started at Hadipora area of PD #Sopore. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.

In the evening, Police said two terrorists had been killed in Hadipora operation. “Two (02) #terrorists have been killed in the #encounter. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition recovered. Identification & affiliation being ascertained. Search going on. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police said in another post on X.

The Army also said two terrorists had been killed in the encounter.

“OP HADIPORA, #Sopore On specific intelligence input regarding the presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice today in Hadipora area of PD Sopore; two terrorists eliminated, operation in progress. #Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps-Indian Army posted on X.

“So far the identity of the terrorists is not getting ascertained,” IGP Kashmir V K Birdi told Greater Kashmir. “From recovery of weapons from the killed terrorists, it seems they are foreign terrorists.”
He said that searches in the area were still ongoing.

Another senior Police officer said that the operation would culminate on Thursday morning.

“We are searching and mopping will be completed in the morning,” he said.

On Monday, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Bandipora district.

The encounter broke out after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the Aragam area of the district on Sunday night following information about the presence of terrorists there.