Kashmir: Three terrorists killed today, six in 24 hours
In a major breakthrough for security forces, three terrorists were eliminated in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian this morning. The encounter, that started in the wee hours of the morning, happened at Amshipora area. Less than 24 hours ago, a similar exercise was carried out at Kulgam, wherein three terrorists, including a top commander of outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed, were gunned down. Here are more details.
Reports said out of three terrorists eliminated yesterday, one was an IED expert. The police disclosed he took instructions from handlers in Pakistan and was responsible for a number of recent attacks, including one involving an IED. "He was reportedly able to escape from 3-4 encounters, leaving behind an MO 4 American rifle in one case," police said in a statement.
Earlier, Director-General of Police Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh, said the anti-terror operation was launched on the basis of credible intel inputs about the presence of terrorists in the Chimmer village. The operation was conducted by Kulgam Police, Army, and Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) units. Three soldiers were said to have been injured in the exchange of gunfire.
Since June, security forces have eliminated 48 terrorists, most of them in four districts of Kashmir. Kashmir's Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar, recently informed a list of top commanders has been prepared. They will be tracked and neutralized soon, he had announced.
The extensive combing exercise comes in the backdrop of worrying intel inputs. Brigadier Vivek Singh Thakur, Commander, Two Sector, told media on Friday that terrorists might attack the Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to start on July 21. Brig. Thakur said while terrorists may try their best to derail the yatra, "systems and resources (are) in place to ensure that it goes on unhindered."
