3 terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in J-K

Srinagar, Jul 28 (PTI) Three terrorists, including one involved in last year's attack at the Sonamarg tunnel project, were killed on Monday by the Army's elite para commandos in a gun battle in a forest area on Srinagar's outskirts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said here.
     Security agencies suspect that one of the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam attack was also among the three terrorists eliminated under Operation Mahadev, but his identity is yet to be confirmed.
     According to officials, the Army launched the operation in the forests of Harwan following a technical signal that was similar to the device used by terrorists in Pahalgam.
     The terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire during the cordon and search in Mulnar village. One of the slain terrorists has been identified as Jibran, who, officials said, was involved in the attack on the Sonamarg Tunnel project at Gagangir in October last year. Seven people, including a doctor, were killed in the attack.
     Security forces and intelligence sleuths were ascertaining the identity of two other slain terrorists, as one of them is believed to be Suleiman, one of the perpetrators of the April 22 terror strike at Baisaran in Pahalgam that left 26 persons, mostly tourists, dead.
     One M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles and other munitions were recovered from the site.
     At around 1130 hours, one party comprising personnel from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para unit had detected the group of three terrorists and neutralised them by springing a surprise on them, an official said.
     Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) V K Birdi said it was a long-drawn operation which was going on till the last reports.
     "Three bodies have been sighted. It will be premature to comment on other details," Birdi said, adding that full details will be made public after the operation is over.
     Earlier, Srinagar-based Chinar Corps in a post on X said three terrorists were killed under Operation Mahadev.
     "Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues," the Chinar Corps of the Army said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)