Four terrorists were killed in the Pinjora area of Shopian district this morning. (ANI)
Nine terrorists, including three commanders of the Hizbul Mujahideen, have been eliminated in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian in less than 24 hours, police said today.
This morning, four terrorists were killed after they opened fire at security personnel during a operation in the Pinjora area of the South Kashmir district. The joint operation by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police was launched after intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.
"Four terrorists were killed in a four-hour operation which began at 3AM today in Shopian. These terrorists were known to cause excesses on civilians, kill non-local laborers, abducting policemen, harassing and causing injuries to truck drivers in 2019," Major General A Sengupta, General Officer Commanding (GOC) Victor Force, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The encounter took place in less than 24 hours after five terrorists were killed in a similar operation in Reban area in the district. An area commander and a foreign national were among the terrorists killed in the operation which ran on for over six hours during which the security personnel also faced stone throwing. The situation was brought under control by additional forces and suspending internet.
In April, security forces gunned down three terrorists in an overnight encounter in Zainapora area in the district.
At least 22 terrorists, including 6 top commanders, have been killed in last two weeks in nine different operations in Jammu and Kashmir, state's Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said today.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr Singh said: "In last two weeks, security forces in Jammu and Kashmir are carrying out an operation against terrorists. In the last two days, nine Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists have been killed. Among them were three top commanders against whom several cases were registered including the killing of innocent civilians, attacks on police and security forces."
The senior police officer said that 88 terrorists have been killed this year in around 36 operations.
"This year, 88 terrorists have been neutralised in around 36 operations. 40 terrorist associates were arrested and 240 Over Ground Workers (OGW). Some of them have also been booked, including some in PSA," he said.
With inputs from ANI