Pursuing credible leads regarding the presence of militants in Thamna village of District Pulwama, a joint patrol of the security forces yesterday launched searches in the afternoon inside the village. As the searches were in progress and security forces advanced towards the suspected house, militants hiding inside fired upon the joint patrol of security forces thereby establishing contact with the militants leading to an encounter.
During the encounter, the militants initially took few civilians hostage inside the house who were however safely evacuated by the Security Forces. Initial information suggested the presence of three militants inside the house but as the final search was carried out, a lone body of a militants was recovered. Apparently the other hiding militants managed to escape from the spot after making indiscriminate fire around the site of encounter.
In the incident five civilians got injured in the cross firing and were evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment where unfortunately one succumbed to his injuries though others are stated to be stable now. In the encounter, the killed militants was identified as Sajad Ahmad Shah son of Ali Mohammad Shah, a resident of Gund, Chogul District Handwara. He was affiliated with proscribed militants outfit LeT .
He was involved in number of attacks on the security establishments and civilian atrocities. Rifle and ammunition were also seized from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case in this regard and further investigation is going on. Separately in another encounter, inside the forests of Kachama in District Kupwara, a joint patrol of security forces yesterday eliminated a militants Tunga Top inside the forest area. Cases registered and investigation in progress pertaining to both the incident.