3 terrorists killed in Pulwama, 1 in Kupwara

A youth died in clashes between stone-pelters and security personnel near the encounter site.

Three terrorists on Friday were gunned down in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir and a youth died in clashes between stone-pelters and security personnel near the encounter site, a police official said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Thumna village after getting information about the presence of militants there, the official said.

Three terrorists were holed up inside a house. The security personnel managed to pinpoint the location of the ultras but the operation had to be delayed due to the presence of civilians in the house, he said.

A gunfight broke out between the security forces and the militants after all the civilians were evacuated. All the three ultras were killed, the official said.

Meanwhile, a mob started hurling stones at the security forces involved in the anti-militancy operation.

At least five people received pellet or bullet injuries in the security forces action against the protestors, the police official said.

He said one of the injured, 16-year-old Faizaan Ahmad Khan, was declared dead by doctors at a hospital.

Meanwhile, in another encounter in Kupwara on Friday, an unidentified terrorist was killed.

An army official said security forces launched a search operation in the forest area of Trehgam in Kupwara following information about presence of terrorists there.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorist was not known yet.

In another incident, three army personnel were injured when terrorists attacked an army patrol party in Shopian district.

"Terrorists lobbed a grenade on a group of army personnel when they were busy opening the Good Will Public School in Ahagam area of Keegam village in Shopian this morning followed by firing on Army personnel," a police spokesman said.

He said in the incident, three army personnel sustained injuries and were subsequently evacuated to a hospital. Their condition is stated to be stable.

He said the army personnel exercised maximum restraint to avoid any damage to the civil population and students around.

Police registered a case and searches to nab the terrorists have been initiated in the area, the spokesman said.