Three army personnel lost their lives during a clash with terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. Acting on intelligence regarding the possible presence of militants, security forces initiated a search and encirclement operation in the elevated terrain of Halan forest region within Kulgam district, situated in the southern part of Kashmir, as informed by a police representative.
Security forces launched a massive search operation on Saturday to trace the terrorists. A terrorist snatched four AK-47 rifles from the army personnel killed in the encounter.
“Operation Halan #Kulgam. On specific inputs regarding presence of terrorists on higher reaches of Halan in Kulgam, operations launched by Security Forces on 04 Aug 23. In exchange of firing with terrorists, three personnel sustained injuries and later succumbed. Search operations are continuing,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army said in a tweet.
In a tweet, Army’s 15 Corps said the operation in the area is still underway.
Also Read: जम्मू-कश्मीर के कुलगाम में आतंकियों से भीषण मुठभेड़, सेना के 3 जवान शहीद
Fatal Exchange of Fire in Kulgam
“The search operation turned into an encounter after terrorists fired at the security forces and they retaliated. In the exchange of fire, three security forces personnel were injured and they succumbed during treatment,” an official told PTI.
“An #Encounter has commenced in the upper reaches of the Halan forest region in #Kulgam district. The Army and Kulgam Police are actively engaged in the operation. Additional information will be provided soon,” the Kashmir Zone Police also stated on Twitter.
According to officials, a tight cordon was maintained throughout the night and the search operation was launched on Saturday morning to trace the terrorists, believed to be three in number, officials told PTI.
The officials said the group is believed to have recently infiltrated through the Pir Panjal range. They said additional troops have been rushed to the area and the search has been intensified.
In April and May, many as ten army soldiers were killed in two separate attacks in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Another search operation has been launched in the Kund area of the district after a blast-like sound was heard there, the officials said. Some Army vehicles were passing through the area when the sound was heard, they said. A police team has rushed to the spot and further details were awaited, the officials added.
Also Read: Jodhpur: Bride from Pakistan’s Karachi, groom from India tie nuptial knot ‘online’