Srinagar: In a major success, four terrorists were killed on Saturday in a fierce encounter with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
According to Defence Ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia: “Four terrorists have been killed in Hajin Payeen village. Weapons and warlike stores have been recovered.”
Some reports mentioned that the slain terrorists belonged to Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), although their exact identities are being ascertained, said an official.
He said that on receiving specific information about presence of some terrorists in the area, the security forces surrounded Hajin Payeen village and launched a search operation. “As the cordon was tightened, the hiding terrorists opened fire to break the security cordon and escape,” said the official adding that in the ensuing encounter, four terrorists were neutralised.
Thought the encounter has ended, local people have been advised not to visit the site of the gunfight as there is an apprehension of some IEDs planted by the terrorists.
Meanwhile, at least 11 persons were injured in clashes that broke out after the encounter with terrorists between the security forces and civilian protesters near the site of a gunfight in the area.
Reports from the area said stone pelting youth attacked the security forces near the encounter site in Hajin Payeen village where four terrorists were killed earlier in the day.
Security forces used tear smoke and pellets to disperse the protesters.
Police has advised civilians not to visit the site till it is declared safe as there is possibly of unexploded explosive material there.