Jammu and Kashmir: CRPF jawan, 2 terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter

Police said two terrorists and a CRPF jawan were killed in an encounter between the security forces and the terrorists in Bandzoo village of Pulwama district  

Srinagar: Two terrorists and a paramilitary CRPF jawan were killed in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday (June 23).

A police official said a joint contingent of Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, Army’s 55 Rashtria Rifles and CRPF laid siege around Bandzoo village in Pulwama district in the early hours today after receiving inputs about presence of some terrorists there.

He said while security personnel were zeroing-in on a target area where the terrorists were hiding, the terrorists hiding in the area fired indiscriminately on the security forces.

The fire was returned by the troops, triggering an encounter.

In the ensuing gunfight, which continued for over two hours, two terrorists were killed and a CRPF jawan injured. The injured CRPF jawan was evacuated to hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said two AK-assault rifles have been recovered from the encounter site.

He said the search operation was going on when reports last poured in.

A police official said they are ascertaining the identity of the terrorists killed in the gunfight.

The south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Anantnag, which have emerged as stronghold of terrorists post Burhan Wani’s killing in July 2016, has seen a surge in encounters this month. About 30 terrorists have been killed in nearly a dozen gunfights in the region this month so far.