Source The Hindu
Security forces gunned down three suspected militants affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed during a fierce encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Saturday, officials said.
According to police sources, the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in a forested area of Kishtwar. A joint team of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off the suspected location and initiated a search operation in the early hours of the morning.
As the forces closed in on the hideout, the militants opened fire, triggering a gunbattle that lasted for several hours. Security personnel retaliated, leading to the killing of all three terrorists. Officials said arms and ammunition, including assault rifles and explosives, were recovered from the encounter site.
The identities of the slain militants are yet to be officially confirmed. Authorities believe they were involved in planning attacks targeting security forces and civilians in the region.
The area has been sealed off for further searches to rule out the presence of additional militants. Reinforcements have been deployed to ensure law and order and to prevent any untoward incidents.
Senior officials praised the coordinated efforts of the forces, calling the operation a significant success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the Union Territory.
