Srinagar: In a major success, security forces today eliminated 4 terrorists of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit in an encounter in south Kashmir.
However, tragically, 3 Army men lost their lives and 5 were injured when their vehicle met with an accident while rushing towards the encounter site, police said.
The gunfight took place in Badigam, Zainapora area of Shopian in South Kashmir when a cordon and a search operation was launched following a specific input about presence of terrorists there, the police said.
Caught in the cordon, the hiding terrorists opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated and a gunfight ensued.
“So far, four (4) local #terrorists of proscribed #terror outfit LeT #neutralised in #Shopian #encounter. Search is still going on,” said a tweet by the Kashmir Police, hours after the gun battle started.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone), in a tweet, said that the terrorists killed in the encounter were active in Shopian & adjacent areas of Pulwama.
“They were involved in 6 #terror crimes including attacks on outside labourers. Hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on & they will be neutralised soon,” he added.
Over the last one month or so, terrorists have carried out a series of targeted attacks on Hindus and non-Kashmiris, including vendors and labourers, in South Kashmir.
In the latest such attack, a Hindu driver Satish Kumar Singh was shot dead in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
Meanwhile, as security reinforcements were being rushed to the encounter site in Badigam, Zainapora, today, an Army vehicle overturned on its way.
“Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver seemingly lost control over the vehicle and it skidded off the road” near Kanipora village in Shopian district, Defence PRO said.
