3 militants killed in Baramulla encounter

A week ahead of the first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, three militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Saturday.

The encounter took place hours before PM Narendra Modi began the BJP’s poll campaign with a rally in Doda in Jammu region.

The Army said in view of forthcoming sensitive events (referring to the elections), Saturday’s operation was a significant success.

Earlier on Friday, security officials said they received specific intelligence input about the movement of terrorists in the Chek Tappar area. Subsequently, a joint team of the Army, J&K Police, Special Operations Group and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was mobilised late in the night.

The Army said while the forces were in the process of establishing the cordon, terrorists hiding inside abandoned buildings opened indiscriminate firing. “As per the standard operating procedures, the fire was returned effectively. The cordon was tightened and additional reinforcements were inducted. The terrorists continued heavy firing upon our troops throughout the night which was effectively countered,” said Brig Sanjay Kannoth, Commander of the 10 Sector Rashtriya Rifles.

“The operation continued into the morning when our troops engaged the terrorists and neutralised three of them without causing any damage to civilian life or property,” he said, adding a large quantity of war-like stores was seized.

Brigadier Kannoth said the identity of the slain militants was yet to be established. “It was a notable success for our security forces… a major setback for Pakistan’s nefarious designs aimed at disrupting peace in the Valley,” he added.