Four Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants, including a foreigner, were killed in a pre-dawn operation of the security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama on Saturday, taking the toll of militants to 266 this year. Around 10 civilians were injured in the clashes.
A police official said the four JeM militants were encircled by a joint team of Army, CRPF and police before sunrise in Pulwama’s Rajpora area.
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“The operation was launched on a credible input about the presence of militants in Hanjan Payeen area. The search party was fired upon by the militants. Four militants were killed in the retaliatory fire,” the police said.
The slain militants were identified as Muzamil Nabi Dar, Muzamil Nazir Bhat of Prichoo, Waseem Akram Wani and a non-local militant Haris.
“Incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the site of the encounter,” the police said.
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With the killing of four militants, the death toll this year has gone to 266, highest in the last decade.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted in the area after the operation was called off. Local youth hurled stones at the security forces. A complete shutdown was observed in parts of Pulwama after the killings. Security forces used tear smoke shells and pellet shotguns to chase away the protesters. Around 10 protesters were injured, and one severely injured was shifted to a Srinagar hospital. Later, in the day, hundreds of locals participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militants.
The authorities snapped mobile internet services and suspended rail services as “a precautionary measure”.
Major strike averted
In Jammu, the Army said it averted a major tragedy after it spotted a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Kathua district.
“Based on the inputs from military intelligence, a joint operation by Army Brigade at Samba and the J&K Police was launched at Galak in Billawar Block of Kathua. During the operation, a warlike stores, two AK-47 assault rifles, one hand grenade, four magazines, 256 rounds of AK ammunition, 59 rounds of sniper ammunition was recovered,” said the Army spokesman.
“This recovery has averted a major terrorist strike planned in the Jammu region,” he added.
Clashes erupted in the area after the operation was called off. Local youth hurled stones at the security forces. A complete shutdown was observed in parts of Pulwama after the killings. Security forces used tear smoke shells and pellet shotguns to chase away the protesters. Around 10 protesters were injured, and one severely injured was shifted to a Srinagar hospital. Later, in the day, hundreds of locals participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militants.
The authorities snapped mobile internet services and suspended rail services as “a precautionary measure”.
In Jammu, the Army said it averted a major tragedy after it spotted a huge cache of arms and ammunition in Kathua district.
“Based on the inputs from military intelligence, a joint operation by Army Brigade at Samba and the J&K Police was launched at Galak in Billawar Block of Kathua. During the operation, a warlike stores, two AK-47 assault rifles, one hand grenade, four magazines, 256 rounds of AK ammunition, 59 rounds of sniper ammunition was recovered,” said the Army spokesman. “This recovery has averted a major terrorist strike planned in the Jammu region,” he added.