Jammu and Kashmir: one policeman, 4 terrorists gun down by security forces in the encounter; suspected to be part of ISIS, says top cop
In an encounter in Kashmir, local terrorists affiliated to the Islamic terror group ISIS were reportedly gunned down in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag area. State police chief SP Vaid has tweeted that four terrorists were killed in the encounter. The encounter started around 5.30 am. The gun-battle, second since the ceasefire was called off in the Valley on Sunday after Ramzam-- has also claimed the lives of a policeman and a civilian. The operation is still on.
Terrorists reportedly affiliated to ISJK.
— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) June 22, 2018
The top cop, Mr Vaid had admitted the global terror group indeed has a presence in the Valley after a policeman was killed. While the presence was not "substantial", it was "indeed a worrying sign, because ISIS foothold in Kashmir will have a different meaning," the state police chief had told NDTV.
According to preliminary information indicated that the terrorists were holed up inside a house in the south Kashmir district. Unfortunately, the owner of the house died in the crossfire and his wife has been injured. Internet services have been suspended in Srinagar and Anantnag, reported news agency ANI.
The encounter started this morning after security officers received intelligence input about the presence of terrorists, a police officer was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The search operation turned into a gunfight, after the terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated. The Kashmir Police had tweeted:
Exchange of fire between SFs and terrorists in Anantnag. Area under cordon and SFs on job.Information is preliminary in nature.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 22, 2018
Two days later, the government of Mehbooba Mufti collapsed as the BJP pulled out of the alliance, the Governor rule has been imposed in the state. the Centre plans to crack down on terrorists who had expanded their operations during the ceasefire.
First published: 22 June 2018, 13:10 IST