Civilian, 2 terrorists killed in Valley, Fresh CASOs in Pulwama, Anantnag

SRINAGAR: Two more terrorists were killed in a gunfight with security forces on the 10th consecutive day of searches in Bandipora forests whereas a civilian protestor was allegedly killed and another injured in fresh clashes with security forces who were stone-pelted upon in Kulgam district.

In Kulgam, a group of youth pelted stones on security forces, forcing them to open firing to disperse the crowd, in which a youth was allegedly killed while another sustained injuries.

"Protesters started throwing stones on army's 9 RR party in Mir Bazar of Akhran area of the district, this evening. After the mob refused to disperse, the security forces opened fire resulting in injuries to some protesters," police officials said.

In the incident, two persons suffered serious bullet wounds, and were taken to Janglat Mandi hospital in neighboring Anantnag district, they said.

An official said that among the two injured one youth namely Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Nowpora Akhran was declared brought dead on arrival.

Another injured namely Rayees Ahmad was referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment.

A defence spokesman said details of the incident were being awaited.

Meanwhile, two more terrorists were killed in a fresh encounter in the woods in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, where security forces launched a search operation after a group of infiltrators sneaked into this side on June 9.

Two terrorists were killed today in a gunbattle with security forces in Bandipora district, taking the death toll of ultras in the area to four in as many days, an Army official said.

With this, four terrorists have been killed in the operation while a soldier was martyred and two others were injured so far in past ten days.

Official sources said that search operation was resumed with the first light on Monday morning in forest area of Pannar in Bandipora.

"The operation was suspended last night due to darkness in the dense forest to avoid any casualty, they told, adding that forces resumed the operation from different directions.

They said fresh contact was established with terrorists this morning. "In the exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed so for," they said, adding the operation was going on when the reports last came in.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists was not immediately known.

The Army official said today's operation was in continuation of the earlier operation launched in the Panaar forest area on 14 June in which two terrorists were killed.

Monday's operation comes a day after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced the decision to not extend its month-long suspension of operations against terror groups during the month of Ramzan in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Monday, besides the aforementioned operation, atleast two Cordon and Search Operations (CASOs) were initiated by security forces in valley.

Official sources said that security forces on a tip off conducted search operation at Bijbehara in south Kashmir district of Anantnag on Monday.

The operation was launched by a joint team of army and police in Waghama village of Bijbehara area this morning. After sealing all exit points, security forces later conducted house to house searches. However, no one was arrested, officials said, adding later the operation was called off.

Later in the evening, security forces started a cordon and search operation in Samboora village in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

Sources said that 50 RR of Indian Army, Jammu Kashmir Police and CRPF launched the operation jointly after the militant movement was detected in the area.

They added that a large number of forces have been deployed in the area and door to door search operation has begun in the area. More details were awaited at the time of filing this report.

The security forces-throughout the day- have adopted a proactive approach setting up check barriers at various places across the valley including the summer capital of the state.

Police and other security agencies were carrying out random checks of vehicles entering the city at various places. The intensification in the area domination operations and checking of vehicles comes in the wake of a significant rise in terror attacks in the city during Ramzan.

In one of the major attacks, terrorists shot dead renowned journalist Shujaat Bukhari, and his two security guards, outside his office last week.