Three terrorists killed in Baramulla encounter: Army

Baramulla, Sep 14: The army Saturday said that three terrorists were killed in a night-long encounter at Tappar area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Today’s encounter took place just four days ahead of the first phase of Assembly polls in J&K. The Election Commission has announced three-phased polls for J&K starting from September 18.
Addressing a joint press conference at Hyderbeigh headquarters, 10 Sector Commander of the army, Sanjay Kannoth said that acting on a specific lead on Friday evening, additional reinforcements were brought to the Tappar area. “As the forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, they fired indiscriminately. The intense exchange of fire continued throughout the night,” he said. He was flanked by SSP Baramulla Muhammad Zaid besides other army and police officials.
He said that as the operation progressed, three hardcore terrorists were killed and the operation was called off in the morning. “The operation was carried out in a professional manner without any collateral damage to civilian lives or property,” he said. The army officer said that in the operation, three unidentified terrorists were killed whose identity is still being ascertained. “From their possession, war like stores and other ammunition has been recovered,” he said.
He said the operation assumes significance in the forthcoming events in Kashmir. “This is also a major disruption to Pakistan’s nefarious designs. Chinar Corps and Kilo Force are working with close synergy to ensure that the daily routine activities are conducted in a peaceful manner,” the army officer said.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police (IGP ) Kashmir V K Birdhi visited the encounter site. Speaking to reporters, Birdhi said that nobody will be allowed to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in Kashmir. He also said security forces had received a specific lead about the presence of terrorists present in Tappar area of Baramulla late on Friday evening, after which a joint cordon was laid. “As the forces closed in on the terrorists, they came under heavy fire leading to the encounter. During the night long gunfight, three terrorists were killed,” he said. (KNO)