Four soldiers, including a major of the Indian Army, were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir early on Monday, days after nearly 50 CRPF jawans were killed in a suicide car bomb attack in the same area. The encounter is still continuing as of 9am on Monday.
According to media reports, personnel of the Army, CRPF and state police had launch a search operation in the Pinglana village of Pulwama late on Sunday night after being informed of possible presence of terrorists. The terrorists opened fire as the security forces approached a house in the village. Five security personnel were injured in the initial burst of gunfire, with four of the victims succumbing to their injuries in hospital.
After firing resumed early on Monday, one civilian was killed in the crossfire. Authorities suspect up to three terrorists may still be hiding in the area.
The suicide car bomb at Pulwama on February 14, for which Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility, was the worst single attack in Jammu and Kashmir in decades. The attack led to the government clamping down on separatist groups and withdrawing security for leaders of the All Party Hurriyat Conference.
