Three LeT terrorists, woman killed in Handwara encounter

SRINAGAR: In a major success, security forces eliminated three Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists in an early morning encounter in Handwara area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir. A civilian, a woman, was also killed in 'cross-fire'.
As per the official information, acting on a specific input, the State Police along with Army's 22 RR and 92 Battalion CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Mir Mohalla locality of Unisoo village of Handwara late night at 12:30 am .
The search operation turned into an encounter as the terrorists hiding in the house of one Abdul Hamid Mir fired upon the forces conducting the searches.
In the encounter that ensued, three terrorists were killed, a police official said adding the slain terrorists were most probably affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
He added that three AK rifles along with other ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. The gunfight continued for about an hour.
Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said the slain terrorists were apparently Pakistanis.
Vaid said on Twitter, "In Unisoo Handwara all the three terrorists apparently Pakistanis have been neutralised by Joint team of J&K Police, RR & CRPF."
"It has been raining whole night & boys were out there in the cold," Vaid commended the forces/ Meanwhile, a woman trying to escape from the house in which the terrorists were hiding was also killed in the cross fire.
"During the encounter, one lady got injured in the cross firing and unfortunately she succumbed to her injuries," a police spokesman said.
The official sources in Valley confirmed that five members of the family got trapped inside the house and one member believed to be daughter in law of the house owner tried to escape during which she sustained serious bullet wounds and subsequently died due to grave injuries.
The lady was identified as Mysar, daughter of Mohammad Shaban Mir.
Soon after the encounter, authorities directed telecom companies to snap Internet services in parts of Valley in wake of terrorists' killings.
Officials said the authorities have directed all cellular companies to suspend mobile internet services in Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore and Baramulla in north Kashmir to prevent spread of any rumour on social media.
Local sources said that soon after the gunfight in the village locals hit the streets and pelted stones on forces.
The clashes intensified after the news about the killing of the lady spread in the area as hundreds of people took to streets and staged protests. Despite rains, a large number of mourners attended the funeral of the slain lady and she was laid to rest in local graveyard.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has also grieved over the death of the woman.
She said she has been all along warning of the ill effects of violence and reiterated her appeal to civil society to rise to the occasion and make the future of Kashmiris safe and peaceful.