Jammu and Kashmir: 3 terrorists including top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander killed in Kulgam encounter

Earlier, when the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.  

Kulgam: Three Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) terrorists including an IED expert have been killed in an encounter with the security forces at the Nagnath-Shimmer area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam on Friday.

"Three terrorists were killed in a joint operation launched in the wee hours of Friday by the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) units, Army and the Kulgam Police on a credible input about the presence of terrorists in village Chimmer," Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation early Friday morning in Nagnad area of the district following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said. He said the search operation turned into an encounter when the hiding militants opened fire on the security forces who retaliated.

The DGP said that the terrorists were given instructions by their Pakistani handlers and were responsible for a large number of attacks.

"The killed terrorists are from JeM, which included a top terrorist commander known to be an IED expert taking direct instructions from his Pakistani Handlers and was responsible for a large number of attacks including many IED attempts against security forces in the recent past. He was reportedly able to escape from 3 or 4 encounters, leaving behind an MO 4 American rifle in one case.," he added.

Three army jawans were injured during the exchange of fire and were shifted to the Army hospital.

Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have been recovered, the police said.

Earlier, when the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.