Security forces on Thursday gunned down three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in an encounter that lasted for over six hours in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
The encounter started last evening in Kakapora area of Pulwama following an intelligence input that three local boys, who had joined militant ranks in banned Lashker-e-Taiba terror group, were holed up in a house located in a densely populated locality, a police official said.
This is the first successful counter-insurgency operation in Pulwama area which is believed to have large presence of local terrorists aided with a strong-network of over ground workers, he said.
The identity of the three slain terrorists was being established, he said, adding the successful operation was a big blow to the LeT terror outfit which recently lost its commander Junaid Mattoo in an encounter at Arwin village in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on June 17.
This is the second successful operation against the terror outfit within three days.
Yesterday, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Sopore town of Baramulla district in Jammu and Kashmir.
The militants were identified as Basit Ahmad Mir, a resident of Indergam Pattan, and Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Brat Sopore. An Army official said two weapons were seized.
