Jammu and Kashmir: 2 terrorists killed in Tral encounter, gunfight underway

At least two terrorists belonging to Hizbul-Mujahideen outfit were killed on Tuesday morning in an encounter that broke out between security forces and terrorists at Reshipora Tral area in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. After receiving specific inputs about the presence of terrorists, a joint operation was launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and the Army. The security forces then cordoned off the entire area. Authorities have also suspended mobile Internet services in the town.

Earlier, three CRPF jawans, two Jammu and Kashmir police personnel and a civilian were killed in an encounter at Babagund village of Langate, Handwara in north Kashmir's Kupwara district. Two terrorists were also killed in the gun battle. The civilian was killed during clashes with security forces following stone-pelting incident at the spot. Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation following information about the presence of terrorists there, the officials said. During the searches, the terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated, they said. There was a lull in firing several times during the day but the terrorists would resume firing as soon as the security forces advanced towards the house where the ultras were hiding, the officials said. Clashes between a group of youngsters and security personnel took place near the encounter site, leaving four persons injured, the officials.

On February 14, at least 42 CRPF personnel were killed last month in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 30 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district that also left many critically wounded.

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir. It was the first time in more than a decade that Indian jets had crossed the LoC to strike against Pakistan. The Indian Air Force hit Jabha Top, a forested hilltop where the Jaish-e-Mohammed had its camp.