Srinagar:The security forces shot dead a terrorist during a gunfight that ensued after terrorists challenged forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday. The gun battle broke out at New Colony in Arihal area of the district on Thursday after security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in the orchards there, the officials said.
Initially, the terrorist could not be identified but later security forces identified the deceased as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member, officials said. Police said acting on specific intel input regarding the presence of a terrorist in the village, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Pulwama Police, Army, and CRPF in the area.
"During the search operation, the joint team encountered indiscriminate firing from the hiding terrorist. The security forces effectively retaliated, leading to an encounter," police said. Police said in the ensuing exchange, the terrorist, identified as Kifayat Ayoub Alie, a resident of Pinjoora Shopian, associated with the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was neutralised, and his body was recovered from the encounter site."Police records indicate his involvement in several terror-related crimes."Significant incriminating materials, along with arms and ammunition, including one pistol, two magazines, five RDS, and two grenades, were seized from the encounter site. All recovered items are now part of the case records for further investigation." police said.