Srinagar, March 21 (KNO) : In the forest of Halmatpora under Police Station Kupwara on receiving specific inputs, Police Kupwara along with 41 RR, 160 TA, 98 Bn CRPF and 162 Bn CRPF launched a search operation in the said area. While the search was going on the hiding terrorists fired upon the search party .
The fire was retaliated by the security forces ensuing an encounter. In the ongoing encounter, so far 05 terrorists have been neutralised; all of whom are understood to be foreign terrorists and part of a freshly infiltrated group. In the process huge cache of arms and ammunition and other incriminating materials which include AK 47 rifles, grenades, etc were recovered from the encounter site. In the ongoing encounter two policemen Sgct Deepak Thusoo and SPO Mohd Yousuf and two army personnel Sep Ashraf Rather of 160 TA & NK Ranjeet Kholka of 05 Bihar were martyred. Earlier in the exchange of fire one SPO namely Javaid Ahmad was also injured and subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment .His condition is stable.
It is pertinent to mention here that the encounter is in progress in the dense forests area. Owing to the thick vegetation and low visibility the security forces are mopping the area with due caution. In this connection a case has been registered and investigation has already been started under the relevant provisions of the law by the Police.(KNO)