Two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Terrorists Neutralised In Encounter With Security Forces In J-K's Awantipora

The encounter started in wee hours of Friday at Khrew, Pampore area of Awantipora. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about presence of militants there.

Encounter breaks out between militants, security forces in Jammu-Kashmir (File Photo)

New Delhi: An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Pampore area of ​​Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning. As per the early inputs, two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorist have been killed by the security forces during the encounter. Jammu and Kashmir Police has informed that the security forces have currently cordoned off the entire area as the encounter is still going on. 

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar reprotedly said, "One of the two terrorists killed in Khrew, Awantipora was involved in the killing of a peon at a govt school in Pastuna on July 23 this year. He has been identified as Musaib Mushtaq of Khrew." 

Second killed terrorist has been identified as Muzamil Ahmad Rather, a resident of Chakoora, Pulwama.

J&K DGP Dilbag Singh addressing the media said, "In the ongoing operation at Khrew, Awantipora both the terrorists have been killed. This was a hit squad of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen responsible for civilian killings in South Kashmir. One AK rifle and one pistol recovered."

The encounter started in wee hours of Friday at Khrew, Pampore area of Awantipora."#Encounter has started at Khrew, #Pampore area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police had tweeted.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Khrew in Pampore area of Awantipora following information about presence of militants there, the officials said.

They said the search operation turned into an encounter after the ultras opened fire towards security forces' positions. In retaliation, when the security forces opened fire, two terrorist were neutralised. There were no casualties reported so far in the operation  from J&K Forces side, the officials said.

This is the third such incident within the last 15 days. The incident has come a day after terrorists shot dead their party leader Ghulam Hasan yesterday in Kulgam. Ghulam Hasan had joined his party four months ago by resigning from the PDP.  BJP leader Javed Ahmed Dar was shot dead by terrorists in Brajlu Jagir area of ​​Kulgam on August 17. Earlier on August 9, terrorists killed Ghulam Rasool Dar, president of the Kisan district unit of the BJP in Kulgam.