Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist among three gunned down in J&K's Kulgam, encounter over

The encounter in Larro area of Kulgam district of South Kashmir has ended.

SRINAGAR: Three Pakistan-backed terrorists were neutralised by the security forces on Sunday hours after a fierce gunbattle broke out in Larro area of Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander, who was identified as Sheeraz Moulvi, was among the three terrorists killed in the encounter. However, two others managed to escape.   

One soldier was also injured in the cross-firing by the terrorists during the anti-terror operation. 

Meanwhile, some civilians were also injured after explosives left by the terrorists at the encounter site went off resulting in the death of one civilian.

The slain civilian was identified as Ubaid Laway, son of Mohd Maqbool Laway, of Larro, news agency ANI reported.

The civilians were earlier warned to stay away from the encounter site after the operation concluded as a massive search operation was launched by the security forces. However, in spite of the request, some civilians, mostly youths, reached the encounter site during which some explosives left by the terrorists exploded. 

Sharing more information about the encounter, DGP, J&K Police Dilbag Singh had earlier said, ''The encounter has concluded just now and I have been told that three terrorists were neutralised in it. The operation is being wrapped up.''

The identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained,'' he added.

The encounter concluded just now and I have been told that three terrorists were neutralised in it. The operation is being wound up. Their identity is yet to be ascertained: DGP Dilbag Singh on encounter in Kulgam's Larro area. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/zGz5y038VH — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2018

#Visuals from #JammuAndKashmir: An encounter is underway between terrorists & security forces in Larro area of Kulgam district in South Kashmir. One-two terrorists believed to be hiding in a house. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/dGE9R4AJO8 — ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2018

The operation began following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. 

At least 3-4 terrorists were initially believed to be holed up in a house in Kulgam which was surrounded by the security forces.

The security forces then launched a cordon and search operation in Larnoo village after receiving information about the presence of militants in the area.

"As the cordon was tightened, the terrorists fired at the security forces. The injured soldier was immediately shifted to a hospital. Two to three terrorists are believed to be hiding inside a residential house in the area under cordon," the police initially said.

In an encounter on October 19, the security forces killed three terrorists in Baramulla’s Boniyar in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The security forces seized four AK-47 rifles and four Haversacks from the slain terrorists. 

The Army on Thursday foiled the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of Baramulla district, a defence spokesman said.