Security forces on Saturday killed three terrorists, including two who had allegedly snatched rifles from policemen in Kulgam district earlier this week, in separate operations in Shopian and Sopore areas of Kashmir valley. Acting on specific information, security forces on Friday night launched a search operation in Lehend-Habdipora area of the Shopian district, 52 kms from Srinagar, officials said.
They said an encounter broke out between the hiding terrorists and security forces late Friday night and ended Saturday morning with the killing of both the ultras. The deceased have been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Chopan and Khursheed Ahmad Ittoo, both residents of Shopian, said an official.
They were suspected to be involved in the attack on policemen in Yaripora area of Kulgam district on Monday as the rifles, snatched from the cops, were recovered from the scene of the gun battle. "An unidentified terrorist was killed in a separate encounter in Muslim peer area of Sopore town in Baramulla district," said the official.
Security forces launched an operation after receiving information about presence of terrorists in Muslim Peer.The terrorists had taken refuge in a medical shop and started firing on the security forces, they said. Security forces returned fire andone ultra was killed, the official added.
The encounters come two days after two terrorists, including top Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Sajjad Afghani, were killed in a shootout in Foreshore road area of the city.
