J&K: 2 Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorists Killed In Kulgam Encounter, Search On For More Terror Operatives

Two terrorists have been killed in the ongoing operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, and the operation is still ongoing.

Security personnel during a cordon and search operation. (Image used for representational purposes only.)

Source : PTI Images

Security forces killed two terrorists in the ongoing Kulgam encounter in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (October 4), and efforts are underway to recover their bodies from the site. The cordon and search operation in the area is still ongoing as authorities work to maintain security and gather additional information, according to a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) by Kashmir Zone Police. 

The identified terrorists have been named Basit Amin Bhat of Frisal and Saqib Ahmad Lone of Hawoora, Kulgam. Both of these individuals had a documented history of involvement in various terror-related activities. The operation resulted in the recovery of incriminating materials, arms, and ammunition, including two AK series rifles, from the encounter site. All seized materials have been officially recorded for further investigation purposes, news agency ANI reported. 

Kulgam Encounter | Kulgam Police alongwith security forces neutralized two terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit HM in South Kashmir’s Kulgam. They have been identified as Basit Amin Bhat of Frisal & Saqib Ahmad Lone of Hawoora, Kulgam. As per police records both the…

— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2023

#KulgamEncounterUpdate: 02 #terrorists killed. Bodies of the killed terrorists being retrieved from the site of #encounter. Cordon & search #operation is still in progress. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/n05Mmerrb5

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 4, 2023

Earlier in the day, terrorists and security forces clashed in the Kujjar area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Kashmir Zone Police in a social media post said, "Encounter has started at Kujjar area of #Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job". 

The encounter broke out just a few days after security forces raided two terror cells in the south Kashmir district and apprehended five "hybrid" terrorists. According to a PTI report, the arrested individuals are Aadil Hussain Wani, Suhail Ahmad Dar, Aitmad Ahmad Laway, Mehraj Ahmad Lone, and Sabzar Ahmad Khaar.

They were found with a large amount of weapons and ammunition, including two pistols, three hand grenades, one UBGL, two pistol magazines, 12 pistol rounds, and 21 AK-47 rounds.

Advanced technological and surveillance equipment is being used to monitor the area and track the potential presence of terrorists in the forested areas to aid in this effort, the report said. 

After receiving information about suspicious activities, a joint team of the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off the Broh and Soom forest areas in Kalakote. During the cordon, terrorists opened fire on the troops in an attempt to avoid capture, injuring two Army personnel. Following that, additional reinforcements were quickly deployed to secure all possible escape routes and fortify the cordon surrounding the area.

Terrorist activity in the Pir Panjal valley's border districts of Rajouri and Poonch has increased this year, prompting increased security measures.