Security forces in Jammu&Kashmir on Wednesday got a prize catch in their kitty as one of the three terrorists killed in the night long operations in Melhoora area of Shopian district was believed to be the Chief of the Al-Qaeda linked Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGH) terror outfit, Burhan Majid Koka.
In the encounter, three security force personnel,including a senior officer, also sustained injuries and were evacuated to hospital for medical treatment.
Anti-terrorist operations were going on in the South Kashmir region for last seven days, without a pause. So far 16 terrorists have been killed in seven anti-terrorist operations in last two weeks in Kashmir valley.
The first contact with the group of hiding terrorists was made late Tuesday night in which one terrorist was gunned down while two others were neutralised during the night long operations. All three dead bodies were recovered by the security forces during searches on Wednesday morning.
Till late evening, the Jammu and Kashmir police authorities remained tight lipped over the real identity of the three terrorists and their affiliation with a terror outfit. However, local villagers in the area and unconfirmed reports claimed one of the three killed included Burhan Majid Koka.
The spokesman in Srinagar issued a press statement which stated, "the operation was launched on the basis of a credible input about the presence of terrorists in Melhoora area of District Shopian". The spokesman said, "a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by Shopian Police, 55RR and 178Bn CRPF in the area. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter".
In the ensuing encounter, 03 terrorists were killed. The identification of killed terrorists is being ascertained, police spokesman added. The medico legal formalities of the killed terrorists are being done.
Police spokesman said, "incriminating material including arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of encounter". "Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter", spokesman added.
