Only 1 terrorist killed in Pulwama, 2 escaped: police

Srinagar: The body of only one LeT terrorist was recovered from the site of encounter in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said today, adding that the other two believed to have been killed in the operation apparently managed to escape.

The police spokesman said the LeT terrorist has been identified as Sajad Ahmad Shah, a resident of Gund in Chogul area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. “He was involved in a number of attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities,” he said. A rifle and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site in Thamuna village.

The security forces yesterday launched the operation in the village after receiving information about the presence of three terrorists in a house there. Director General of Police S P Vaid and Army officials had said three terrorists were killed in the encounter.

“All three terrorists eliminated. Good job boys,” Vaid had tweeted. After the security operation was called off today, the police official said only one body was recovered from the site of encounter. He said the initial information had suggested the presence of three terrorists in the house in the village.

“Pursuing credible leads regarding the presence of terrorists in Thamuna village of district Pulwama, a joint patrol of the security forces yesterday launched searches in the afternoon inside the village,” the police spokesman said. He said as the search operation was progressing towards the house, the terrorists fired upon the joint patrol team of the security forces, thereby triggering the encounter.

“The terrorists initially took few civilians hostage inside the house who were however safely evacuated by the security forces. Initial information suggested the presence of three terrorists inside the house, but as the final search was carried out, a lone body of a terrorist was recovered,” the spokesman said. He said the other terrorists apparently managed to escape after indiscriminately firing around the encounter site.

He said a civilian was killed in “cross-firing” during the encounter. “In the incident, five civilians were injured in cross-firing and were evacuated to hospital for treatment, where unfortunately one succumbed to his injuries. Others are stated to be stable now,” he said. A case has been registered in this connection and investigation is on, the spokesman said.