Kulgam, June 30: Three militants were killed and two army personnel injured in an encounter in Chimmer village of Damhal Hanjipora in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, police said.
A police official said that on specific information about the presence of militants in the area a joint team of police, army’s 9 RR and 18 Bn CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area.
“As the joint team approached towards the suspected spot the militants who were coming out of the house fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.”
He said that in the ensuing encounter two militants were killed.
“One militant managed to flee from there but the forces tightened the cordon to ensure he didn’t break the cordon,” the police official said.
He said that after three hours contact was again established and the gunfight erupted again.
“The militant hiding inside the village was later gunned down,” the police official said.
The slain militants were identified as Waseem Ahmad Bangroo of Redwani, Kulgam, missing since June 19, and Shahbaz Ahmad from Kimmer, Shopian. He was active in the ranks since 2020.
Zakir Bashir from Chimmer, DH Pora Kulgam, who according to police had joined ranks recently was the third slain.
A source said the militants were coming out of Zakir’s house.
A police official said that a rifle and a pistol were recovered from the slain militants.
“In the gunfight two army men also sustained injuries and are being treated at army’s base hospital in Srinagar,” he said.
The bodies of all three will be taken by police to North Kashmir for burial.