Terrorist killed, Pulwama encounter ends: Police

Srinagar, Dec 1: The Pulwama encounter in south Kashmir which started on Thursday ended on Friday morning with the killing of a local Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and recovery of arms and ammunition.

The killed terrorist has been identified as Kifayat Ayoub Alie, son of Muhammad Ayoub Alie of Pinjoora Shopian.

“Acting on a specific intelligence input regarding the presence of a terrorist in Arihal village of Pulwama, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Pulwama by Police, 44 RR, and CRPF’s 182 Bn in the area,” Police said. “During the search operation, the joint team encountered indiscriminate firing from the hiding terrorist. The security forces effectively retaliated, leading to an encounter.”

Police said that in the ensuing exchange of fire, the terrorist identified as Kifayat Ayoub Alie, son of Muhammad Ayoub Alie of Pinjoora Shopian, associated with the proscribed terror outfit LeT, was killed and his body was recovered from the encounter site.

Police records indicate his involvement in several terror-related crimes including in case FIR No 123/2021, FIR No 294/2021, and case FIR No 180/2023 of Police Station Shopian.

Police said that significant incriminating material along with arms and ammunition including a pistol, two magazines, five rounds, and two grenades were seized from the encounter site.

It said that all the recovered items are now part of the case records for further investigation.

“A case under the relevant provisions of the law has been registered, and the investigation has been taken up,” Police said. “The people of the area are requested not to approach the encounter site until the area is thoroughly sanitised and cleared of any potential explosive materials.”