At least two terrorists were killed in a fierce gun battle in Bahmnoo Village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday, while suspected terrorists shot at and critically injured a police Constable in Anantnag town when they attacked a police party.
The gunfight started during the wee hours of Monday and continued throughout the day. Till the last reports came in from the area late on Monday evening, the security forces continued to besiege the village with Intelligence inputs that one to three terrorists were still holed up in the area.
A police spokesman said that the two terrorists have been killed in the gunfight.
Hundreds of people came out from their homes and began marching towards the encounter site with the aim to ensure safe passage to the terrorists.
However, police and security forces foiled their attempt.
Over a dozen protesters were injured during clashes with the security forces. Two of them were shifted to Srinagar Hospital with pellet or bullet injuries.
The slain terrorists are believed to be associates of Zakir Musa, a prominent terrorist commander who broke ranks with Hizbul Mujahideen recently and has gained public attention by targeting Pakistan and Hurriyat leaders.
At Malangpora Village of the same district, the security forces called off the cordon and search operation after terrorists escaped the besieged area taking advantage of darkness and protests by the locals. The operation had been launched late on Sunday evening but it was called off past midnight.
Meanwhile, the police Constable Ghulam Hasan who was critically injured after terrorists targeted a police party near General Bus Stand in Anantnag town, has been rushed to hospital for advanced treatment. Hospital sources said that the cop has received grievous injuries. Reports said that a woman Suman Kour also received injuries in the attack.