Srinagar: Three Pakistani militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad and a policeman were killed in a ‘chance’ encounter in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, police said on Wednesday.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the gunfight broke out at Najibhat Kreeri area at a checkpoint laid by the security forces.
“There were multiple Nakas across Kashmir today. At a Naka at Najibhat, there was a chance encounter and three Pakistani JeM terrorists were killed,” the IGP told reporters in Baramulla. “One of our brave policeman was also killed in the encounter,” he added.
The slain policeman was identified as SPO Mudassir Ahmad. He was a member of an elite police unit.
Kumar said they were pained at the loss of one of his men.
“At time in such chance encounters, we have to face collateral damage,” he said.
Defence sources said the three militants were moving in a Santro car. “On receiving specific intelligence that some suspected persons were moving towards Mirgund from Puthkah in a Santro car, a joint team of the (Army’s) 52 RR and Baramulla police launched a surveillance cum ambush operation. The team was fired upon by the militants and gun fight started leading to killing of three foreign militants,” they said.
“These militants were active in this area for the last 3-4 months and were being tracked by police and security forces.”
IGP Kumar termed the killing of the three militants as a “huge success” for the forces and said a major attack has been averted.
“The three Pakistani terrorists were planning to carry out a big attack is Srinagar and their elimination is a major success,” he said.
He said incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the encounter site.