Kulgam: Security forces gun down 3 terrorists, 2 jawans lost lives

Three terrorists were killed on Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Photo for representational purpose only.

SRINAGAR: Three terrorists were killed on Sunday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. The gunbattle broke out after the ultras opened fire on a search team of the security forces. A police officer and an Army jawan have also lost their lives during the gunfight. Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Turigam area of Kulgam district following information about presence of some militants there, a police official said. He said the militants opened fire on security forces, who retaliated, triggering a gun-battle. One militant was killed in the encounter, the officials said, adding that the identity and group affiliation of the slain ultra were being ascertained.

We have lost a very brave J&K Police officer DySP Aman Thakur in an encounter with terrorists in Kulgam. Such an irreparable loss for J&K Police family and nation. Rest in Peace dear. pic.twitter.com/Nh3JAVVVdR

— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) February 24, 2019

An army major and two soldiers were also injured in the encounter, officials said, adding that a non-commissioned officer, Havaldar Sombir, succumbed to his injuries subsequently. The other injured persons, including the major, are out of danger. Deputy Superintendent of Police Aman Thakur was also killed in the exchange of fire. A 2011-batch JK Police Services officer and a resident of Doda district in the Jammu region, Thakur was leading the police team from the front in the encounter with JeM terrorists. Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said, "It is an unfortunate incident, in which we have lost a brave officer. He was a fighter and he led Sunday's operation himself." Thakur was posted as the DySP (operation) in Kulgam, a terrorist-infested area of south Kashmir, two years ago and had successfully carried out anti-terror operations in the area. He was awarded the DGP's Commendation Medal and Certificate for his exemplary service only last month.