SRINAGAR, NOV 17: In a significant anti-terror operation during the Kulgam encounter, security forces successfully eliminated at least five terrorists following a fierce 24-hour gun-battle, officials revealed.
Pertinent to mention here, the encounter broke out in South Kashmir’s Samno village of Kulgam district on Thursday evening as the operation unfolded based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the area, officials said on Friday.
The fierce gunfight broke out on Thursday after security forces including the Indian Army, J&K Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched an operation in the Damhal Hanjipora area.
Addressing media persons, DIG South Kashmir, Rayees Bhat, stated that the joint cordon and search operation began with the collaboration of Kulgam Police and the Army. As the search party closed in on the suspected location, the terrorists opened fire indiscriminately, prompting an effective retaliation which lead to a prolonged encounter. The CRPF joined the operation later in the night due to darkness, the operation was temporarily halted and resumed early in morning.
The DIG revealed that the encounter resulted in the neutralization of five terrorists, identified as Yasir Bilal Bhat (Humais), Danish Hameed Thoker, Ubaid Ahmad Padder, Sameer Farooq Sheikh, and Hanzal Yaqoob Shah, all linked with the proscribed terror outfit LeT/TRF.
The DIG emphasized that the slain terrorists were categorized as highly involved in terror activities, including attacks on security forces, police, and civilians. Two of the terrorists, Sameer Farooq and Danish Hameed, were implicated in an attack on Kashmiri Pandit Sonu Bhat in Chotigam, Shopian. Danish Hameed and Hanzal Yaqoob Shah were also responsible for a terror attack on non local labourers in Gagren, Shopian, resulting in injuries to three on July 13, 2023. Sameer Farooq Sheikh was additionally involved in instigating local youth to join terrorist ranks and attacking a minority picket in Heepora Batagund, Shopian.
The security forces have also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including four AK-series rifles, four grenades, and two pistols from the encounter site. All recovered materials have been documented for further investigation.
A case under relevant sections of the law has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. The top officer has urged cooperation with the police until the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of any explosive materials, Bhat added.
