Two unidentified militants and a CRPF jawan were killed in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Pulwama on Tuesday.
A police spokesman said the terrorists were killed in the gunfight and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter in Bundzoo area of Pulwama.
A CRPF jawan also received critical gunshot injuries. “He succumbed to his injuries in a hospital,” the police said. He was identified as head constable Sunil Kala of the CRPF’s 182 Battalion
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The identification and the affiliation of the killed terrorists are being ascertained, the police added.
At least 108 militants have been killed so far this year.
The operation was launched on a specific input generated by the Pulwama police regarding their presence in Bundzoo area. They were given the opportunity to surrender. However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party,” said the police spokesman.
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The villagers claimed the slain militants were locals. “The bodies of the terrorists have been sent to Handwara for their last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities, including collection of their DNA. In case any family claims them to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for the identification and participation in the last rites,” the police said.
The police said incriminating material, including two AK rifles and ammunition, were recovered from the site.
Militant hideouts busted
A militant hideout was busted in Harwan area on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Police sources said one magazine of AK-47 and an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) along with six grenades were recovered from the hideout.
In a separate operation, the security forces spotted a hideout in Poonch’s Bufliaz area. “One Pika gun, 7.62 mm rounds and 222 cartridges were recovered,” said the police sources.