5 Security Personnel Dead as Kupwara Encounter Enters Day 3

The encounter broke out on 1 March after the militants opened fire on the security forces during a search operation.

File image used for representational purposes. 

(Photo: IANS)

One more CRPF personnel has succumbed to injuries sustained during the encounter in Kupwara’s Handwara area in Jammu and Kashmir’s on Sunday, 3 March, taking the death toll of security personnel to five. One civilian also lost his life in the three-day encounter.

Speaking to ANI, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir SP Pani confirmed that bodies of two militants were recovered.

He further added that the reason for the prolonged operation was due to “tough terrain and heavy civilian population.” IGP Pani also added that the operation is in its concluding phase.

The fresh violence came amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, the subsequent anti-terror operation by India and Pakistan Air Force's attempt to target Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Encounter Broke Out on Sunday

The encounter broke out on Friday morning after the militants opened fire on the security forces during a cordon and search operation in Babagund area of Kupwara following information about presence of ultras there, officials said.

There was lull in firing several times during the day but militants would resume firing as soon as the security forces advanced towards the house where the ultras were hiding, the officials said. After one such interval, the militants opened indiscriminate firing on the advancing team of security personnel, the officials said.

Nine security force personnel were injured in the firing by the militants, they said adding five of them succumbed to injuries. The slain personnel included a CRPF inspector and a jawan, two army men and a policeman, they said.

Clashes between a group of youngsters and security personnel took place near the encounter site, the officials said. A youth, identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir, suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared him 'brought dead', they said.

They said the operation was in progress when reports last came in.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)