J&K: In first encounter after Ramzan ceasefire, forces kill three terrorists near LoC

 For the first time since Ramzan ceasefire was declared, security forces killed three newly infiltrated terrorists in fierce gun battle near the Line of Control in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

The incident occurred on Friday evening when army noticed a group of newly infiltrated terrorists in at Kanwar Brinjal forest area close to the Line of Control. The terrorists were challenged, but they opened fire and in the ensuing encounter three terrorists were killed.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Handwara, Ghulam Jeelani Wani said it was an infiltration bid that has been foiled. “It (gun battle) happened in the jungles near the LoC”, he said

This is the first encounter since the centre asked the forces not to launch the operations against terrorists during the holy fasting month of Ramzan. However the security forces reserved the right to retaliate if attacked or if essential to protect the lives of innocent people.

Earlier in the day , terrorists showed contempt for the Ramzan ceasefire by attacking the security forces and looting bank in two difference incidents across Kashmir valley.

The first incident occurred in Hajin area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district where terrorists fired on the patrol of 13 Rashtriya Riffles on Thursday night

The fire was retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for few minutes before terrorists fled from the spot. However given the Ramzan ceasefire no proactive action was taken

The incident occurred 24 hours after terrorists tortured and strangulated a 28-year-old youth to death in the same area.  The body of Hilal Ahmad Parray was recovered from an orchard on Thursday morning

Suspected terrorists on Friday barged into the J&K Bank branch at Qaimoh in Kulgam district of South Kashmir and looted Rs 3.28 lakh. Police sources said two armed terrorists stormed the bank and looted the money on gunpoint before escaping from the scene.  

This is the fourth militancy related incident since the Ramzan ceasefire was announced by Centre on Wednesday. terrorists on Thursday greeted the Ramzan ceasefire by killing a youth and looting three riffles from police guard post in two different incidents across the Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, security forces have been put on high alert to ensure incident free visit of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

Modi is visiting all the three regions on Saturday. He will be inaugurating the 330 MW Kishanganga power project and laying foundations tone for Srinagar ring road in Srinagar.

Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to maintain order during the Prime Minister Srinagar visit.  Joint Resistance Leadership of separatists have called for hartal and Lal Chowk march on Saturday to protest the Prime Minister visit.