3 terrorists killed in Kupwara encounter

SF Patrol attacked in Hajin

SRINAGAR: Army on Friday claimed to have killed three terrorists in a gunfight- first counter-militancy operation since the Centre announced a conditional suspension of operations during Ramzan- at Brinjal forest area of Vilgam, Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, even as terrorists attacked a patrol party of Army in Hajin, Bandipora earlier in the day.

Security forces got engaged in a gun battle with terrorists in Kupwara district today, the Army said.
An army official told Valley-based news agency that soldiers of 15 RR intercepted a group of terrorists believed to be infiltrators at Brinjal forest adjacent to Shahnagar Jat Gali, around 7 kilometres away from Tehsil headquarter Vilgam.

“The group of terrorists opened fire upon the forces which were retaliated by the troops triggering off a gunfight.

“The terrorists fired indiscriminately and in the gunfight that ensued, three infiltrators were gunned down,” he said.

“We are ascertaining their outfit affiliation,” the official said, adding the operation was still going on while this report was filed.

Meanwhile, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and security forces in Hajin area of north Kashmir district of Bandipora early Friday morning, official sources said. However, no injuries were reported.
They said a patrol party of security forces was attacked by terrorists at 0145 hrs at Hajin with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated and exchange of fire continued for some time, they said.

Later, security forces conducted Cordoned and Search Operation (CASO) in the area but the terrorists had managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The exchange of fire took place a day after the Centre announced unilateral ceasefire and said that security forces will stop CASO during the holy month of Ramadan. However, the Army has warned that any attack would be retaliated and CASO will be launched against militants on specific inputs.