Srinagar: In an overnight encounter that began on Monday, the security forces succeeded in killing two categorised Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists in Pulwama district.
According to sources, the encounter on Monday started in Drabgam area of Pulwama when an Army patrol was fired upon by group of hiding terrorist who lay in ambush. However, the alert Army immediately retaliated and a heavy exchange of fire ensued and it ended in wee hours of Tuesday.
The neutralised terrorists have been identified as–Irfan Ahmed Rather, who is a resident of Rajpora’s Litter and Irfan Sheikh, a resident of Naira.
Sources said that Rather was active in November 2017 and was a listed as a wanted categorised Hizbul terrorist. Rather was identified on the basis of identity card recovered from hid body. Whereas, Sheikh was a close associate of Riyaz Naikoo. He was active since 2016 and was a classified ‘Category A’ terrorist, said a police official.
The search operation at the encounter site started in the morning and Sheikh’s body was recovered with incriminating material including arms & ammunition from the encounter site.
It may be recalled that the encounter began in Pachaar Rajpora area of Pulwama district when terrorists fired upon a joint patrolling party of 44 RR, 182/183 Bn CRPF and Police Pulwama.
The Police has requested citizens not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials.