Three unidentified militants were killed in an encounter in a forest area of Pulwama's Tral in south Kashmir on Saturday, August 21, 2021, taking the toll of militants killed in the last 24 hours to five in the district.
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An official said the militants, associated with the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), were encircled in Nagbaeran area of Tral in Pulwama.
“On being encircled by the security forces, the militants opened fire and were killed in the subsequent encounter,” the police said.
One of the slain militants was identified as Wakeel Shah.
“JeM militant Shah neutralised in today’s encounter. He was involved in the killing of Rakesh Pandita [BJP leader],” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
According to the Army, search operations in the upper reaches of Nagaberan and Dacchigam Forests were on since August 17.
“A contact was established with militants at 6.45 a.m. on August 20. Two AK-47 rifles, one SLR and other warlike stores were recovered from them,” the Army said.
On July 31, JeM commander Saifullah alias Lamboo, who was involved in the 2019 Pulwama attack, was also neutralised in the same area.
Earlier, two militants were killed on Friday in Pulwama’s Khrew area.
