Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar's nephew killed in Pulwama encounter; one soldier martyred

One soldier of 44 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred and two soldiers and a civilian injured during the Pulwama operation.

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Srinagar: Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar's nephew was killed by the Indian security forces in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday.

The slain JeM terrorist has been identified as Talha Rasheed, who was also acting as a local commander of the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit in Kashmir, ANI reported.

News agency ANI quoted JeM spokesperson saying, besides JeM chief's nephew two other terrorists were killed in the encounter. One was divisional commander Muhammad Bhai and another one was Waseem, a resident of Drubgam Pulwama.

The joint operation was conducted by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kandi Aglar village of Pulwama.

Unfortunately, one soldier of 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) was martyred and two soldiers and a civilian injured during the operation. The martyred soldier has been identified as Sham Sunder.

"Three weapons, including one AK, one M16 rifle and one pistol, besides ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," said a police spokesman.

The troops of 182 Batallion and 183 Batallion CRPF, along with 44 RR and the Jammu and Kashmir Police were carrying out a cordon and search operation in the region, when the encounter broke out.