Search ops launched in Mendhar following suspicious movement
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, including a self-styled top commander of the outfit, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, officials said here.
Two security forces personnel sustained injuries in the operation that was launched in the early hours of the day, they said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Kadder in Behibagh area of the district on Wednesday night following information about the presence of suspected terrorists there, the officials said.
They said the search operation turned into an encounter as the terrorists opened fire on security forces, who retaliated.
The slain ultras include a self-styled commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen Farooq Ahmad Bhat alias Nali, who was allegedly involved in a series of terror related crimes in south Kashmir area.
The other ultras killed in the operation have been identified as Irfan Lone, Adil Hussain, Mushtaq Itoo and Yasir Javaid, all local residents.
Search operations were continuing in the area as police requested local residents not to go close to the encounter site due to safety reasons.
Meanwhile, security forces have launched a search operation in the border areas of Poonch district following inputs regarding suspicious movement, officials said.
The search operation was conducted by security forces and police in forward areas of Mendhar on Thursday, they said.
The operation is part of the alertness of troops against suspicious movements and the threat of infiltration, they said.
In a related development, a forest fire triggered mine blasts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said.
There were no casualties or injuries, they said.
The forest fire in the forward areas of Gursai, Ucchad, and Prambranar, as well as the border belts, has been raging for the past few days, they added.
Several mines exploded due to the fire, however, there were no casualties or injuries, the officials confirmed.
Efforts by the forest department, fire services, police, Army, and locals are underway to control the blaze, they said.
