The Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, who were killed by security forces in an encounter in Frisal Chinnigam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday, used to hide in a bunker constructed inside a cupboard.
In a video that surfaced online after the encounter, security officials can be seen inspecting what appears to be a small, well-fortified, concrete bunker concealed behind an almirah in a civilian residence.
After the discovery of the hideout, authorities are investigating the involvement of locals in sheltering the terrorists in the area, according to a report by NDTV.
A total of six terrorists were killed in twin encounters that began in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday. While the bodies of two terrorists were recovered from the Modergam encounter site, four bodies were recovered on the Chinnigam site on Sunday.
Two Indian Army soldiers, including an elite para commando, were also killed in the line of duty during the operation.
Speaking about the operations, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police RR Swain said the neutralisation of such a big number of terrorists was a major achievement.
Undoubtedly, this is a big milestone in the efforts towards strengthening the security environment. These successes are very meaningful both substantively as well as in terms of messaging, news agency PTI quoted the DGP as saying.
The success of the operations is an indication that the fight for elimination of terror in Jammu and Kashmir will reach its end, Swain said.
This is an indication that the security architecture and involvement of people is leading to the flow of human intelligence and this fight (against terror) will be taken to its logical conclusion, he added.