Three terrorists were killed during an encounter with security forces in a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Wednesday. As per sources, a total of four terrorists were hiding in the area, and three have been eliminated. The gunfight had begun in Bajaad village in the Gandoh area around 9.50 am amid an intensified search and cordon operation by the police along with the Army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following twin terrorist attacks in the hilly district on June 11 and 12, officials told news agency PTI. On June 11, six security personnel were injured when terrorists attacked a joint check post at Chattargalla, while a policeman was injured in a gunfight with terrorists at Kota top in the Gandoh area the next day. Following the twin attacks, security forces intensified their anti-terrorist operations and announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each for four Pakistani terrorists believed to have infiltrated and operated in the district. The police, assisted by security forces, launched an operation in the village of Sinoo panchayat but came under heavy fire from the hiding terrorists, the official said. The exchange of fire was still going on when the last reports were received, they added.
A policeman was injured on Wednesday in a fresh encounter between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda, making it the fourth attack in the Valley in the last three days, officials said. According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, terrorists opened fire on a search team deployed in a village in the Gandoh area at 7.41 pm, to which security forces retaliated. The fire was reported from the Kota top area of Bhalesa. A fierce exchange of fire between the two sides was going on when the last reports were received. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon, officials said. The injured cop was identified as Constable Fareed Ahmed, who was posted with the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Gandoh. The recent encounter took place in Gandoh Bhalessa town in Doda district. Additional troops have been rushed to the encounter site. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police has released sketches of four terrorists who are suspected to be roaming in the upper reaches of Bhaderwah, Thathri, and Gandoh areas. The police have also announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for providing information about the terrorists.
