Pulwama encounter: 3 militants involved in attack on BJP leader’s house killed

Srinagar: Three militants, involved in Thursday’s attack on BJP leader’s house at Nowgam in Srinagar were killed by security forces in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the south Kashmir district of Pulwama, a police spokesman said on Friday.

He said on a tip-off about the presence of militants, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint CASO at Kakpora on the banks of the river Jhelum in Pulwama late Thursday night.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said the operation was launched after it was learnt that militants involved in Nowgam encounter were hiding there. A police constable was killed in the attack and militants had snatched his weapon at Nowgam Thursday.

All roads leading to Kakpora were closed and exit points sealed, spokesman said, adding that when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding four civilians in the area were rescued to safer place.

Later, search operation was stopped due to darkness, he said, adding with the first light this morning security forces again moved towards the area from where militants were firing.

Security forces made repeated appeals to holed up militants surrender who continued firing. Residents in the nearby houses were taken to safer places, he said.

Later in fresh exchange of fire three militants were killed, he said adding operation was still going on when the reports last came in. Large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, he said. One AK 47 rifle, one pistol and one Self Loading Rifle (SLR), which was snatched from deceased cop were recovered from the slain militants.

The dead militants were identified as Suhail Lone, Nissar Lone and Junaid. Suhail was in a burqa during the attack on the house of BJP leader. He said one of the militants killed in today attack might have entered Kashmir via Nepal.
IGP has congratulated security forces for killing the militants within 24 hours of Nowgam attack.

Mobile internet in the Pulwama has been suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours. (UNI)