Six terrorists killed, one jawan martyred in encounter in J&K's Shopian, arms seized

The gunbattle between security forces and terrorists in Kapran Batagund area of Shopian has now concluded.

SRINAGAR: In a major breakthrough, the security forces on Sunday killed at least six terrorists in an overnight operation in a Jammu and Kashmir village in the Shopian district. One security personnel was also martyred in the anti-terror operation.

A large cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered from the slain terrorists, the officials said. 

''Six terrorists were killed in an encounter at Batagund village in Kapran area of Shopian district of south Kashmir, Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.

Kalia further informed that a soldier also lost his life in the operation.

The martyred soldier was identified as Naik Nazir Ahmad.

#JammuAndKashmir: Naik Nazir Ahmad died in action in Shopian encounter earlier today. pic.twitter.com/98ULy4NSVI — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists is also being ascertained.

The six terrorists were eliminated in the Batagund village in a joint operation by the Rashtriya Rifles, troops of Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force following specific intelligence inputs regarding their presence in the area.

#JammuAndKashmir: An encounter is underway between security forces & terrorists in Kapran Batagund area of Shopian district. 4 terrorists have been neutralised. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/MvduHcF4BF — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

"As the security forces tightened the cordon around the hold-up group, they started firing, triggering the encounter," a J&K Police official said earlier.

The bodies of six slain terrorists have been recovered from the encounter site and the operation has now concluded. 

#JammuAndKashmir: Shopian encounter concludes. Total six terrorists neutralised, one security personnel also died in action. Weapons and warlike stores recovered. pic.twitter.com/RAIm7iw0E1 — ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

Meanwhile, clashes also broke out between protesters and the security forces near the encounter site.

Mobile and internet services were suspended by the authorities in south Kashmir's Shopian district soon after the encounter as a preventive measure.

Today's anti-terror operation comes days after the security forces killed at least six dreaded terrorists in an encounter in the Anantnag district.

A large cache of arms and ammunition were also recovered from the custody of slain terrorists.

One of the terrorists identified as Azad Ahmad Malik, who was allegedly involved in the murder of journalist Shujaat Bukhari, was also killed in the operation. 

Malik was being investigated for the murder of 'Shujaat Bukhari.'

Earlier on November 18, two terrorists were killed in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Rebban area of Zainapora village in Shopian district. 

The encounter took place a day after the terrorists abducted and killed a 19-year-old teenager.