Another encounter ensued between security forces and militants in Chowgam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam late Friday night. The gunfight was underway when the last reports came in. As per the latest reports, five militants have been neutralised during the exchange of fire in Chowgam area. All of the militants belong to banned terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. The slain terrorists have been identified as Gulzar Ahmad Padder, Faisal Ahmad Rather, Zahid Ahmad Mir, Masroor Molvi and Zahoor Ahmad Lone.
Soon after the gunfight started the train and internet services have been suspended between Baramulla to Qazigund in the militancy-hit state. This is fourth such encounter in this week.
Here are the updates on Kulgam encounter:
# 12:40 pm: The terrorists have been identified as Gulzar Ahmad Padder, Faisal Ahmad Rather, Zahid Ahmad Mir, Masroor Molvi and Zahoor Ahmad Lone: Jammu and Kashmir Police.
# 10:50 am: Total five terrorists have been killed so far, search operation underway: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on Kulgam encounter.
#UPDATE: Total five terrorists have been killed so far, search operation underway: IGP Kashmir SP Pani on Kulgam encounter https://t.co/CbDRwuU3cL
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018
# 07:30 am: According to police, the encounter is going on in Chowgam area of Kulgam. Five terrorists are trapped. 3 reported to have been neutralised. Train services between Baramulla -Qazigund suspended.
Encounter between terrorists & security forces is underway in Kulgam's Chowgam. 3 terrorists have been killed so far. Train services between Baramulla-Qazigund have been suspended: #JammuAndKashmir Police (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/FKpU426GVd
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018
# 07:15 am: Five militants are believed to be trapped inside a house in Chowgam. Four of the terrorists have been eliminated so far by the security forces: Sources.
# 05:44 am: Kulgam: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chowgam area of Qazigund late last night. More details awaited. #JammuAndKashmir.
Kulgam: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chowgam area of Qazigund late last night. More details awaited. #JammuAndKashmir
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2018
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Earlier on Thursday, three terrorists of pro-Pakistan Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed and 12 security personnel, including three officers, injured in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. The gunfight ensued a day after terrorists fired on a police party and escaped the spot.
The encounter broke out after security forces, comprising CRPF, police and Army personnel, during a cordon and search operation, zeroed in on a location near a house in the district's Kakriyal area, and surrounded the terrorists.
On the same day, two other militants were eliminated in a separate encounter with security forces in Sopore area of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district.
The gunfight came on the heels of a cordon and search operation in Chinkipora near Arampora area of Sopore township in the north Kashmir district following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
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On September 11, two militants were also killed at Galoora area of Handwara, in the north Kashmir district as a search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon the security forces in the area.