File
In a bid to avenge the death of Constable Saleem Shah, security forces on Sunday gunned down at least three terrorists, involved in his abduction and murder yesterday.
Saleem, who was a trainee constable, was abducted from his residence in Mutalhama area of Kulgam on July 20, while he was on a leave. His bullet-riddled body, bearing severe torture marks, was recovered late on Saturday.
“3 bodies of terrorists recovered with three weapons so far from encounter site,” Director General of Police (DGP) S.P. Vaid wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, the DGP said the group behind the abduction and killing of the constable were trapped in the encounter at Khudwani in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
“Terrorists group that tortured our colleague CT Mohd Saleem of Kulgam & killed him brutally are all trapped in an encounter with J&K Police/Army/CRPF in Khudwani Kulgam,” he tweeted.
The encounter began this morning as security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Khudwani after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area.
The search operation turned into a gun battle as the militants fired upon the search party of the forces who retaliated and in the ensuing gun fight, three militants were killed.
READ | When Constable Saleem was abducted by terrorists
While the identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras was yet to be ascertained, the police had yesterday said the militants behind the abduction and killing of the constable belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.
Saleem Shah was a trainee constable who was undergoing training in Kathua. He is the second policeman to be killed by terrorists in South Kashmir in July.
On July 5, constable Javaid Ahmad Dar, who was also at home on leave was abducted from Vehil, Shopian. His body was found in Kulgam next day.
