Two terrorists neutralized, security personnel injured in Hadipora encounter. In a significant operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, two terrorists were neutralized by security forces on Wednesday.
The encounter, which also resulted in injuries to two security personnel, took place in the Hadipora area of Rafiabad. The incident began when security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the area.
According to officials, the operation quickly escalated into a gunbattle when the terrorists opened fire on the approaching security personnel. Despite the hostile situation, the security forces managed to neutralize two terrorists after several hours of intense firefighting. A senior police officer confirmed the deaths but noted that the bodies had not yet been retrieved from the scene.
The injured security personnel included a police officer and an army jawan, both of whom were evacuated from the encounter site and are receiving medical treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable. The authorities have taken precautions by suspending traffic and ordering the closure of schools in the vicinity to ensure the safety of civilians.
Joint Operation Following Intelligence Inputs
The joint operation was a coordinated effort involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army. The security forces had received credible intelligence inputs indicating the presence of terrorists in the Hadipora village.
Acting on this information, they launched a cordon and search operation early in the morning.Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, Virdhi Kumar Birdi, briefed the media, explaining that the input was developed further upon noticing suspicious movements in the area.
The search operation soon transformed into a full-fledged encounter as the terrorists resisted arrest and engaged in a firefight with the security personnel.The IGP stated that the terrorists were given multiple opportunities to surrender but chose to continue their assault on the security forces.
“We repeatedly asked them to surrender, but they continued to fire at our personnel. Consequently, both terrorists were killed in the ensuing gunbattle,” Birdi said. He added that preliminary investigations suggest the terrorists were affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, but this would be confirmed following further investigation as per the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
The operation led to the recovery of incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, from the encounter site. These recoveries will be crucial in further investigations to determine the identities and affiliations of the slain terrorists. The police officer also mentioned that the operation concluded by the afternoon, but a cautious search was still underway to clear the area of any explosives or other threats.
Impact on Local Community and Security Measures
In the aftermath of the encounter, authorities have diverted traffic on the Srinagar-Handwara highway and suspended classes in local schools as a precautionary measure. The safety of the local population remains a top priority, and these steps were taken to ensure no civilian harm during the ongoing operations and subsequent searches.
The local community has been cooperative, following the advisories issued by the authorities. Security forces continue to maintain a strong presence in the area to prevent any potential backlash or further terrorist activities. The police spokesman assured that more details would be shared with the public as they become available and emphasized the importance of community vigilance.
This encounter is part of a broader effort by the security forces to curb terrorist activities in the region. Just two days prior, an A-category terrorist named Umar Lone was eliminated in the Aragam area of Bandipora.
His elimination was hailed as a significant achievement, weakening the operational capabilities of the terrorist networks in the region.The continued success of these operations highlights the effectiveness of the joint efforts by various security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
The authorities remain committed to maintaining peace and security in the region, working tirelessly to eliminate any threats posed by terrorist elements. As search operations continue in Hadipora, the security forces are vigilant, ensuring the area is cleared of any further dangers and the local population can resume their daily lives in safety.
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