Two terrorists gunned down

SRINAGAR : Security forces on Friday killed two terrorists during an overnight gunfight in northern town of Sopore in Baramulla district. A civilian was also injured during the gun fight.

Police officials said the encounter, which had started at Check Mohalla Nowpora in Sopore after a joint operation by police, army and CRPF on Thursday evening, concluded on Friday afternoon.

“In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists have been neutralized. Identification and affiliation of the duo was being ascertained. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition were recovered from them,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on ‘X’.

The authorities had also closed the educational institutions in the vicinity of the encounter site in the town.

Kashmir inspector general of police Vidhi Kumar Birdi said the gun fight was triggered after security forces received information about the presence of terrorists at the concerned place on Thursday evening.

“When the forces were searching the area, the terrorists fired upon the search party including police, 22 RR of army and CRPF triggering an encounter which continued throughout the night,” Birdi said.

He said the two terrorists were killed in the morning, adding that arms, ammunition, and incriminating material have been recovered from them.

Birdi said one civilian, Fayaz Ahmad, was also injured during the gunfight near the encounter site and was evacuated to a hospital. “He was evacuated timely and he is stable,” he said.

The IGP said they have done preliminary identification of one of the slain terrorists from the documents recovered on them. “One of the slain terrorist’s name has been revealed as Saifullah. We are confirming their identities,” he said.

“The security forces are committed to creating a peaceful environment and diminish such terrorist incidents,” the IGP said.