Jammu and Kashmir: Encounter enters third day in Kupwara

Security forces continued its encounter operations with terrorists in the Kashmir Valley for the third day on Sunday in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The gunfight between security forces and terrorists continues at Babagund village of Langate, Handwara in the district on Sunday, officials said.

Four security personnel, including two policemen and two CRPF jawans, succumbed to their injuries during an encounter with terrorists in Handwara town on Friday. A civilian Waseem Ahmad Mir was also killed in the encounter, officials said.

The two police personnel who lost their lives were identified as SgCt Naseer Ahmad Kholi and SgCt Ghulam Mustafa Barah, while the two CRPF personnel were identified as Inspector Pintu and Ct Vinod.

The wreath-laying ceremony of the two CRPF jawans - Inspector Pintu and Vinod of 92 Battalion of Central Reserve Security Force (CRPF) in Srinagar- was held on Saturday.

Based on credible input about the presence of terrorists in Baba Gund area of Kralgund in Handwara, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and the security forces in the area on Friday.

An encounter between the terrorists and the security forces broke out after the terrorists fired indiscriminately at the search party.

"Citizens are requested not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosive materials if any," the police said in a statement.