In a massive breakthrough for the security forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian army neutralised three terrorists, including Zahoor Thoker, following an encounter between the two in Pulwama district on Saturday.
The encounter began on the morning of December 15 in the Kharpora Sirnoo area of Pulwama district, and heavy gunfire was exchanged between the terrorists and security forces. After hours of battling, the Army managed to take down all the three terrorists, which also included Zahoor Thoker. Though there were casualties from the cross-fire, with two Army jawans, three civilians suffering injuries and one civilian losing his life.
Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter underway between Security forces and terrorists in Pulwama district. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/vQ1ryAxODJ
— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2018
Zahoor had in July 2017 deserted the Indian army and went onto join the terrorist ranks. He was the last of the terrorists to be gunned down by the forces, and the search operations concluded at around 9:15 am.
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This was the second major win for the forces on the border in the past few days. Earlier this week, two terrorists, Owais Bhat and Tahir Dar, were taken down by the forces from the Brath Kalan area of Sopore in J&K.
The encounter had begun between security forces and terrorists in Brath Kalan Gund Mohalla on Wednesday, concluded on Thursday morning. “The exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces has stopped,” said the sources. The security forces have operated Cordon and Search Operation. The troops of 179 Battalion of CRPF, Special Operation Group (SOG), 22 RR, CRPF Range Quick Action Team, Baramulla, carried out the encounter.
The authorities had stated that they had a credible input about the presence of terrorists in Brath Kalan area of Sopore, following which there was a search operation by the Police and security forces jointly. Amidst the searches the forces were fired upon by the hiding terrorists. They retaliated to the firing leading to a gunfight.