Srinagar, Nov 01: Four terrorists were killed in two separate
encounters in joint operation by security forces in Pulwama and
Anantnag districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, the police
said.
Three terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in
Pulwama's Khandipora, while one was gunned down in Anantnag's
Semthan.
In an another incident, three alleged "hybrid" terrorists of the
Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) were arrested during an anti-terror operation
in Srinagar and Budgam districts, the police said.
Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar termed
the killings in the Pulwama encounter a "big success" for the security
forces.
In a tweet, he said, "03 terrorists killed in Awantipora encounter."
He said the identities of the slain terrorists are being ascertained.
"As per our source, 1 is FT (foreign terrorist) & 1 local terrorist of
LeT namely Mukhtiyar Bhat, involved in several terror crimes
including killing of 01 ASI of CRPF & 2 RPF personnel. A big
success for us," the DGP said.
Kumar said two AK rifles and a pistol were among the recoveries
made from the scene of the encounter.
Earlier, the officer said security forces launched a cordon and search
operation in the Semthan area of Bijbehara in Anantnag following
information about the presence of terrorists there.
The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists
opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated, he said.
"One terrorist has been killed while the operation is still in progress,"
he added.
In a separate operation, the police set up a checkpoint in the
Harnambal area in Srinagar after information was received about the
movement of terrorists there, a police spokesperson said.
"Two hybrid terrorists — Aamir Mushtaq Dar and Kabil Rashid —
were arrested at the Naka. Two grenades were recovered from their
possession," he said.
He said the duo disclosed the identity of their third associate, Aqib
Jamal Bhat, who was arrested from Sozaith in Budgam.
"Hybrid" terrorists are not listed as ultras but are radicalised enough
to carry out a terror strike and then slip back into routine life.
During questioning, the arrested terrorists revealed the location of an
IED in the Rangreth area of the city, the spokesperson said.
"The IED, weighing around 10 kg, was recovered and destroyed," he
said.
A case has been registered under the relevant sections of Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosives Act and Arms Act at
Chanapora police station, he said, adding that all three terrorists are
affiliated with LeT.
