Security forces kill 3 terrorists in Pulwama
The incident was latest in a series of gunbattles this month as security forces intensify counter-insurgency operations
SRINAGAR : A Pakistani Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) commander was among three men killed in a gunfight with security forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama on Wednesday, police said. The exchange of fire was the latest in a series of gunbattles this month as security forces have intensified counter-insurgency operations and killed at least eight terrorists. Inspector general of police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar identified the LeT commander as Aijaz alias Abu Huraira and added the two others, Javed Rather and Shahnawaz Gani, were local terrorists. “Congratulations to police and security forces,” said Kumar.
The Army said the gunbattle started after midnight when a joint party of police, Rashtriya Rifles, and the CRPF started searches following inputs about the presence of militants in Pulwama’s New Colony.
“As the troops were laying cordon at 01.20 am, terrorists opened fire on the troops and tried to escape taking advantage of darkness. Alert troops immediately returned fire and trapped the fleeing terrorists in a house,” said Army’s public relations officer Lt Col Emron Musavi. He said a call for surrender was given but the militants fired indiscriminately and triggered the firefight. “In an eight-hour long operation, Aijaz alias Abu Huraira, a Pakistani terrorist and two other terrorists identified as Javed Rather, of Tahab, Pulwama and Shahnawaz Gani of Srinagar belonging to LeT were eliminated by the security forces.” He added two AK-47, a pistol and other “war like stores” were recovered from the site.
Musavi quoted police saying the three were “notorious terrorists involved in many anti-national activities and in the recruitment process”.
In a tweet, J&K Police said, “Incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, were recovered. Searches are going on.” Clashes between local residents and security forces were also reported from the gunbattle scene. The CRPF retaliated with tear gas shelling as stones were thrown at them.
On July 10, three LeT militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in South Kashmir’s Anantnag. Two days earlier, police said four militants were killed in two separate gunfights in Kulgam and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir. On July 7, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Mehrajuddin Halwai was killed hours after he was captured in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.