Five Terrorists Killed In Encounter With Security Forces In Kashmir’s Kulgam

Security forces on 10 February (Sunday) killed five Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants in Kulgam district of south Kashmir in yet another anti-militancy operation, reports The Tribune.

10 civilians were injured in clashes that erupted at the encounter site.

According to the report, the slain militants, all locals, were identified as Waseem Bashir Rawther of Ashmuji Kulgam, Zahid Parray of DH Pora Kulgam, Idrees Bhat of Arwini in Anantnag, Aqib Nazir of Zangal Pora Kulgam and Parvaiz Bhat of Qaimoh Kulgam.

Idrees had reportedly joined the Hizbul Mujahideen in 2017 and the rest in 2018. “As the area was being cordoned, the militants, who were hiding in a house, opened fire,” a police officer was quoted as saying by The Tribune.

Three militants were killed in the retaliatory fire. “Even as efforts were on to retrieve the bodies, two more militants hiding in another house opened fire. They too were shot,” he said.

The operation came to an end by noon. Sources said the house where the first three militants were holed up was set on fire, forcing the militants to come out.

“The second house too suffered substantial damage. Fierce clashes erupted at the encounter site. The forces used tear gas shells and pellet guns to disperse the protesters. At least 10 persons sustained pellet injuries,” the officer said.

“Six were treated here, and two with eye injuries were sent to the SMHS hospital in Srinagar,” a doctor at the Kulgam hospital was quoted as saying.