3 JeM terrorists killed in encounter in J&K's Pulwama

Pulwama: Three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on Thursday.
Officials said the three terrorists were later identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat, all residents of Pulwama district. This was the second encounter in the Union Territory within 48 hours.

Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the Nader Tral area of Awantipora in south Kashmir after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists, police said.

The operation turned into an encounter when the hiding terrorists opened fire at the approaching security personnel, prompting retaliatory gunfire that is still ongoing, police added.

This is the second encounter between security forces and terrorists this week. On Tuesday, three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including operational chief Shahid Kuttay, were killed in a gunfight in Shopian district.

India has stepped up surveillance and anti-terror operations after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and assured strict action against those behind it. The ongoing encounter in Pulwama is seen as part of sustained efforts by security forces to eliminate active terror networks in the region and ensure such attacks are not repeated.
(With IANS inputs)