2 trapped terrorists surrender in J&K

OFFICIALS SAID A SEARCH OPERATION TURNED INTO AN ENCOUNTER AFTER THE HIDING TERRORISTS OPENED FIRING

SRINAGAR: Two terrorists, who were trapped during an encounter with security forces, laid down their arms before the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday, officials said.

The security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation at Lelhaar in the Kakapora area of the district on Friday night following information about the presence of terrorists there, the officials said.

They said the search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding terrorists opened firing.

After a night-long lull in the firing, the two terrorists surrendered before the security forces along with their two AK rifles, the officials said.

The two terrorists were identified as Akeel Ahmad Lone and Rouf Ul Islam. Lone had sustained splinter injuries in his right foot and was taken to the police hospital here for treatment, they added.

Meanwhile, three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed on Friday in an encounter with security forces in the Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district where another gunbattle was underway, police said. An encounter broke out after terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retailed and killed three ultras in swift action, police said.

The trio was allegedly involved in several terror crimes, including a grenade attack in Tral bus stand area on January 2 this year.

Another encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the Lelhaar area of Pulwama district.