Kashmir: Encounter underway in Pulwama district, two LeT militants, one civilian killed

An encounter is underway between militants holed up inside a house and security forces in Awantipora area of Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

According to the ANI, two terrorits have been gunned in the encounter. One of them has been identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie and the second one as Mohd Shafi Shergujari.

Terrorist killed in Pulwama encounter has been identified as LeT's Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie, operation underway: CRPF

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2017

CRPF: Another terrorist gunned down by security forces in Pulwama (J&K) encounter,identified as LeT's Mohd Shafi Shergujari;total 2 killed pic.twitter.com/B4eZNNUhqJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2017

A civilian died after clashes broke out between security forces and villagers near the encounter site.

J&K: Pulwama encounter underway, civilian dies after clashes between security forces and villagers near the encounter site.

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2017

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Padgampora village of Awantipora around 2.30 am following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said. He said the militants opened fire at security forces around 4.40 am, which was retaliated by the law enforcement personnel.

The militants were hiding in two houses next to each other.

The security officials had brought to the spot the mother of one of the militants holed up inside the houses in an effort to get him to surrender but he has refused to do so, he added.

Authorities have, meanwhile, suspended train services between Banihal and Srinagar apprehending that miscreants might target the trains along the south Kashmir tracks.

(With inputs from PTI)