3 terrorists killed, 5 SFs injured in Tral gunfight

Civilian shot at, 2 LeT OGWs arrested

SRINAGAR: In the first major gunfight in the Valley since the revocation of Ramazan Ceasefire, Security Forces on Tuesday killed three terrorists in Tral, Pulwama, even as five soldiers sustained injuries while the neighbouring districts witnessed a civilian being shot at by terrorists, and two Over-ground workers (OGWs) of Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfit being arrested.

Two top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commanders among three terrorists were killed and five security forces personnel injured in a gunfight with security forces Pulwama district, while the operation was going on till late night.

Official sources said that of the three JeM terrorists hiding in Tral area, all have been killed.

They identified the slain terrorists as Adil Ahmad of Midoora, Danish Ahmad from Pinglish Tral and a foreigner namely Qasim. Danish has joined militancy barely 23 days back and Adil has joined militancy barely 24 hours before. The third terrorist identified as Qasim is believed to be a Pakistani.

"It is learnt that they were the top commanders of JeM who were involved in a series of terror attacks on the civilians and the security establishments in recent times," police said.

Moreover weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from the site of encounter. Besides five security forces personnel also sustained injuries in the encounter and have been hospitalised and all are stable.

"In the initial exchange of gunfire, a CRPF trooper suffered serious bullet wounds and was shifted to Army's 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar. Later four Army soldier also suffered injured and were hospitalised," an official said, adding they were stable.

Police has registered a case in this matter and further investigation is going on.

Earlier, taking to social networking site Twitter Director General of Police S P Vaid wrote: "Encounter going on at Hyena Tral, 3 important JEM Terrorists trapped, 2 appearently neutralised. Good luck to our boys fighting."

A gunfight started on Tuesday evening between the terrorists and the security forces in Pulwama.

This followed a cordon and search operation launched by the Army's counter-insurgency Rashtriya Rifles, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group of the state police.

"As the security forces tightened the cordon, the hidden terrorists fired at them, triggering the gunfight," police said.

Pertinently, this is the first encounter in the area following the calling off of the unilateral ceasefire by the Centre in Kashmir during the month of Ramazan.

Protests immediately broke out in the area, with stone pelters trying to disrupt the operation. Reports said security forces used tear smoke shells to disperse the protesters.

In the neighbouring district of Anantnag, terrorists shot at a civilian, injuring him seriously.

"A person was injured after shot at by terrorists at Srigufara area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday," official sources said.

They identified the man as Javid Ahmad Waza, a vegetable vendor by profession who was fired upon late in the afternoon. Police sources said that the man suffered injuries in the incident and was hospitalized.

"A case has been registered and further investigation has been initiated," SSP Altaf Khan said.

Meanwhile, State Police claimed to have arrested two Over-ground workers (OGWs) of Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfit from Sopore town of north Kashmir.

A police spokesman said that a joint naka was laid by police, 32-RR of army and 92 Bn CRPF near Dachanpora crossing at Rohama.

"During checking, one motorcycle bearing registration number JK09-2055 coming from Dachanpora towards Rohama having two pillion riders on it, tried to escape from the spot," spokesman said.

He said the alert Naka Party tactfully chased and overpowered the duo.

The spokesperson identified them as Arif Ahmad Malla of Shitloo, Rafiabad and Rayees Ahmad Naik of DH-Pora, Kulgam.

The spokesman said one pistol, three pistol rounds, a hand grenade and matrix sheet were recovered from the duo.

In this regard, a case FIR number 48/2018 under section 2/25 IA. Act, 13 ULA Act stands registered in Police Station Panzalla, a spokesman said.

"During further course of the investigation, it surfaced that the duo were active OGWs of LeT outfit. Among them, Arif Ahmad Malla is also involved in decamping of weapons of SPO. Further investigation of the case is going on. More arrests are expected," the police spokesman said.