J&K: Three jawans martyred, 13 terrorists gunned down in twin encounters at Shopian

Shopian: Terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir suffered a major setback as 13 terrorists were gunned down in counter-insurgency operations in three different areas in which three Army jawans and two civilians were also killed.

Among the terrorists killed included Rayees Thoker and Ishfaq Malik who shot dead Indian Army officer Lt. Ummer Fayyaz in May 2017. Out of the eight, six terrorists hailed from local areas.

At a hurriedly called joint press conference of Army, police and CRPF, J&K Police chief SP Vaid said this wass one of the biggest counter-offensives in recent times against terror groups operating in the Kashmir Valley.

Briefing on the operation, an Army officer said, "There was a design to help the terrorists. But our operations won't stop because of some people who are under the influence of anti-nationals."

He further said that incidents of stone pelting have gone up in recent times. "We will act against those stone pelters who try to help terrorists at encounter site by pelting stones on security forces," said the Army.

AK 43, AK 47 and rifles were also recovered. The encounters began late on Saturday night. Police and Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 3 RR, 34 RR, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were part of the operation.

(With PTI inputs)