Three militants killed in Pulwama

Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including 2 AK rifles seized, say police

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Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed during an anti-militancy operation in Pulwama of south Kashmir on Wednesday, the police said.

“The bodies of three LeT terrorists were retrieved from the site of encounter. They were identified as LeT commander Aijaz, alias Abu Huraira, a resident of Pakistan, Javeed Ahmad Rather from Tahab in Pulwama and Shahnawaz Nazir Ganie from Samboora in Awantipora,” Inspector-General of Police Vijay Kumar said.

The operation started around midnight after specific information was generated by the Srinagar police about the presence of terrorists on New Colony Hospital Road.

“The operation was suspended due to darkness while the cordon remained intact. Taking advantage of the darkness, the terrorists tried to escape but couldn’t. In the early hours, repeated announcements were again made to the hiding terrorists to surrender. However, the terrorists opened fire, which was retaliated,” the police said.

They said the security forces recovered incriminating material, arms and ammunition, including 2 AK rifles and a pistol, from the site of encounter.

Houses damaged

Local people said two multi-storey residential houses were damaged in the operation.

A curfew was imposed in Pulwama town and the Internet was snapped “as a precautionary measure”. Eyewitnesses said local protesters clashed with the security forces after the operation was called off.

However, there were no reports of any casualties.