Four terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam

Four terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday morning, officials said. 

Earlier, a joint team of Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a cordon and search operation in Manzgam area of Kulgram district after getting specific inputs about the presence of terrorists. At around 5:45 am, the terrorists opened fire at the security forces during the search operation.

This comes a day after the forces arrested four terrorists on the information provided by three over ground workers. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also seized from them. 

Jammu and Kashmir Police said the slain terrorists belong to the Hizbul Mujahideen and had been killing civilians for the last 12 days. 

"A group of 3/4 terrorists was killing civilians over the last 12 days. 4 such killings were done by them in South Kashmir. Police was able to track them down and an operation was launched this morning in which all 4 of them have been neutralized," the police said.

The house in which they were hiding was demolished and after clearance of debris, the fourth terrorist’s presence was confirmed.

"During Covid19 preventive efforts, the killing of innocent civilians by terrorists was highly barbaric and condemnable," the police said.

While two terrorists have been identified as locals, the identity of others is being ascertained.