Jammu Kashmir witness first encounter after conditional ceasefire halted; security forces eliminate 4 terrorists

Jammu, June 18: Security forces began their high-voltage counter-terrorism operation a day after the conditional ceasefire was halted by the central government and eliminated four unidentified terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district. The combing operation is underway and 12-13 terrorists are believed to be holed-up in the nearby areas.

 

Security forces including the joint team of army and Para Commandos led a join operation and cordoned off the Panar forest area adjoining the Bandipora district of north Kashmir after getting a specific input of presence of some terrorists. As the search party reached the spot, security forces received bullets from the terrorists ensuing into the encounter. Immediately security forces retaliated heavily and eliminated four unidentified terrorists.

The identity of four slain terrorists is yet to be revealed while the security forces have launched massive combing and search operation to nab the remaining terrorists. The body of slain terrorists along with arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

Major Surendra Poonia tweeted saying, “Ceasefire drama over ! 4 terrorists gunned down by Indian Army in Bandipora... Op is in progress ..As per local sources Approx 12-13 Jihadist hiding in nearby forest.”

Notably, the encounter comes a day after the central government halted a ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and directed security forces to take necessary actions against terrorists and terror groups. Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on May 17 announced a conditional ceasefire to stop anti-terror operation on a plea of Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti.

Last week, security forces eliminated two unknown terrorists after a fierce encounter that took place in the forest area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district.