J&K: 3 LeT terrorists killed in overnight encounter in Pulwama
In an overnight encounter with security forces, three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in the Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), the police said on Sunday. One of them was identified as Junaid Sheergojri, involved in the killing of Reyaz Ahmad Thoker, a J&K Police officer, on May 13. The two others were identified as Fazil Nazir Bhat and Irfan Ahmad Malik.
Why does this story matter?
In May, news agency PTI had quoted the Army as saying that at least 168 terrorists were operating in Jammu and Kashmir this year. Nearly 75, including 21 foreign mercenaries, were killed in encounters with security forces this year. Eleven terrorists were killed in encounters and 12 infiltration bids were foiled in the vicinity of the Line of Control in the past 11 months.
All three were locals and linked to LeT
The encounter broke out around 6:55 pm on Saturday in Pulwama's Drabgam area after the security forces launched a cordon and search operation. All three were locals and connected with the LeT outfit, the police said. One of the terrorists was killed before the night fell. Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said the other two were eliminated early on Sunday morning.
Kashmir Zone Police confirms encounter
Series of encounters in past few days
Kumar said that the police have also recovered incriminating material, arms, and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles and one pistol, from the terrorists. On Saturday, one Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir's Kulgam district. Earlier on Tuesday (June 7), one terrorist was killed in an encounter in Shopian and two LeT terrorists were killed in Kupwara's Chaktaras Kandi area.
Spate of civilian killings in Kashmir Valley
There has been a spate of civilian killings in the Valley. On June 2, terrorists had gunned down a bank employee in the Kulgam district. Earlier, one Farooq Sheikh was attacked inside his home in Shopian. Rajni Bala, a teacher, was also killed by terrorists outside a Kulgam school, while a Kashmiri Pandit civilian, Rahul Bhat, was killed at his office in Budgam.
Home Minister Amit Shah had chaired security meeting
On June 3, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a security meeting over the recent incidents of targeted killings in the union territory against Kashmiri Pandits and non-locals. The meeting was attended by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey, J&K top cop Dilbaug Singh, and R&AW chief Samant Goel.
