At least five Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and an Army jawan were killed during an encounter between the ultras and security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Hanjin village in Rajpora area of the district, following information about presence of militants there. The search operation turned into an encounter after terrorists opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated. One soldier was injured in the initial exchange of firing with terrorists, the official said, adding that the jawan succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The official said reinforcements were rushed to the area and in the exchange of firing, at least five terrorists were killed. Police said that among the slain are one district commander of proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba who has been identified as Nishaz Lone alias Khitab and one foreign militant. As per police, Nishaz was a district commander of the outfit. IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, confirmed the killing of terrorists said they turned down repeated surrender offers given to them by security forces.
A police officer added that a soldier identified as Hawaldar Kashi of 44 RR was also martyred in the encounter. Mobile internet services have been shut in the Pulwama district. In the last 4 days, three encounters have taken place in the Kashmir Valley. In total, 10 militants were killed in these three encounters.
