Updated December 15th, 2018 at 20:08 IST

Massive victory for security forces in J&K; Three terrorists, including Zahoor Thoker, gunned down

The Indian army managed to neutralize three terrorists, including Zahoor Thoker, following an encounter in Pulwama district on Saturday

Reported by: Narayan R
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The security forces in the state of Jammu and Kashmir managed to neutralize three terrorists, including Zahoor Thoker, following an encounter between the two in Pulwama district on Saturday. A soldier, SWR Kishan Singh was martyred during the encounter.

The encounter began on the morning of December 15 in the Kharpora Sirnoo area of Pulwama district, and heavy gunfire was exchanged between the terrorists and security forces. After hours of battling, the Army managed to take down all the three terrorists, which also included Zahoor Thoker. Though, there were casualties from the cross-fire, with two Army jawans suffering injuries and eight civilians losing their lives.

READ: Two Terrorists Neutralised in An Encounter In Brath Kalan Of Sopore in Jammu And Kashmir

Zahoor had in July 2017 deserted the Indian army, and went onto join the terrorist ranks. He was the last of the terrorists to be gunned down by the forces, and the search operations concluded at around 9:15 am.

This was the second major win for the forces on the border in the past few days. Earlier this week, two terrorists, Owais Bhat and Tahir Dar, were taken down by the forces from the Brath Kalan area of Sopore in J&K. 

The encounter had begun between security forces and terrorists in Brath Kalan Gund Mohalla on Wednesday, concluded on Thursday morning. "The exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces has stopped," said the sources. The security forces have operated Cordon and Search Operation. The troops of 179 Battalion of CRPF, Special Operation Group (SOG), 22 RR, CRPF Range Quick Action Team, Baramulla, carried out the encounter.

SWR Kishan Singh

READ: More Than 225 Terrorists Killed In J&K So Far This Year: Army

The authorities had stated that they had a credible input about the presence of terrorists in Brath Kalan area of Sopore, following which there was a search operation by the Police and security forces jointly. Amidst the searches the forces were fired upon by the hiding terrorists. They retaliated to the firing leading to a gunfight. 

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Published December 15th, 2018 at 09:16 IST