NIA launches probe into encounter

A team of NIA sleuths on Tuesday launched a probe into the killing of the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack and his two associates in an encounter with security forces near Srinagar, officials said here.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived at the Police Control Room (PCR) here early Tuesday for the identification of the bodies of the three terrorists, they said.

The bodies of the slain terrorists were brought from the encounter site to the PCR here late Monday.

The NIA team is taking witnesses in batches of two to three people “for ensuring a cent per cent confirmation that the slain terrorists include Sulieman Shah”, officials said.

Meanwhile, the operation is ongoing as intelligence inputs have suggested the presence of another group of terrorists in the area, officials said.