J&K: 4 terrorists, 2 jawans and a civilian killed in Kulgam encounter

An encounter took place between security forces and terrorists in Yaripora of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir. The two sides engaged in a gunbattle, according to TV reports. Bodies of two terrorists were recovered during the encounter.

According to the Indian Army, different unconfirmed figures on casualties of security forces and terrorists were doing the rounds as the operation was underway.

According to ANI's latest report, four terrorists have been killed in the encounter while there are others still holed up as the operation continues. Two security personnel and a civilian were killed while two jawans were injured. 

#UPDATE J&K: Outside visual of house in Kulgam's Yaripora, where terrorists are hiding; encounter on (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/yvClykj2HR

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 12, 2017

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Frisal area of Kulgam district in the wee hours following information about presence of a large number of militants in the area, a police official told PTI. He said as the security forces were closing in on the position of the militants, the ultras opened firing resulting in injuries to five soldiers.

Two soldiers succumbed to injuries before they could be evacuated for treatment, the official said adding three jawans were airlifted to Army's 92 base hospital here and their condition was stated to be stable. The security forces returned fire, ensuing in a fierce gunbattle that lasted several hours in which four terrorists were killed, he added.

The search operations were still in progress as security forces suspect that some militants might have managed to escape to nearby areas, the official said.

Four weapons have been recovered from the scene of the gunbattle and security forces were also trying to ascertain the identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists, he added.

With inputs from ANI/PTI.