J&K: Security forces eliminate 5 terrorists in gunfight in Kulgam

The local residents in the close vicinity of the encounter site were shifted to safer places

November 17, 2023

No collateral damage suffered by the security forces

In a back-to-back anti-terrorist operation in the last 48 hours, a joint team of security forces Friday gunned down five terrorists in the South Kashmir district of Kulgam.

Two terrorists including a prominent launch commander Bashir Ahmad Malik of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir were earlier killed by the security forces in the Uri sector of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday. Malik was a prize catch as he remained active in the area for over 30 years. According to Col Raghav, Commanding Officer of 8 Rashtriya Rifles, Malik was chiefly responsible for facilitating the infiltration of a number of terrorists who caused the death of many Indian citizens, both security forces personnel as well as civilians.

The Kulgam operation was launched by the security forces in the Samno area of DH Pora in Kulgam late Thursday afternoon after receiving inputs about the presence of a big group of terrorists possibly belonging to the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba terrorist outfit. As the security forces arrived in the area to lay a tight cordon late Thursday afternoon the hiding group of terrorists tried to flee the area by breaking the inner cordon leading to a fierce gunfight. Intermittent firing continued till late evening.

Confirming the elimination of all five terrorists who were hiding in a safe hideout Kashmir Zone police posted on X (earlier Twitter), “Five terrorists neutralized by Kulgam Police, Army, and CRPF. Incriminating materials recovered. Operation in the final stage; area being sanitized”.

“Kulgam Update – Day 2: Five #terrorists neutralized by Kulgam Police, Army, and CRPF. #Incriminating materials recovered. #Operation in final stage; area being sanitized.@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/mcZ5EoU1XK

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) November 17, 2023

During the operation, the security forces took all the necessary precautions to prevent collateral damage. The local residents in the close vicinity of the encounter site were shifted to safer places. At the same time, the crack teams waited overnight for the first light to launch a final assault during which all five terrorists were reportedly neutralized.

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