Anantnag Encounter: Two militants were killed and by the Indian security forces in the ongoing Anantnag encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in South Kashmir’s Anantnag early on Monday. An army officer was also killed during the encounter.
Why Return of Kashmir Pandits is Nearly Impossible Despite All The Hoopla
Acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants at Bidroo Akingam, Anantnag, Indian security forces comprising of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) launched a joint search operation early this morning.
All the exit points were blocked, sources said, adding when the Indian security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. The fire was returned ensuing in an encounter, they said.
Official sources said two militants were killed and their bodies were recovered.
However, when the Indian security forces were searching the area there was fresh firing from militants still hiding there. The operation was still going on when the reports last came in, they added. Meanwhile, internet mobile service has been suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of rumours.
Did Pakistan Provide Intelligence?
Pakistan is said to have shared vital intelligence on a possible terror attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama district, probably near Awantipora using a car-borne explosive device, a report in the Indian Express newspaper stated quoting a senior unnamed security official in Srinagar.
As a consequence, the Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir has been on high alert since the intelligence was shared a few days ago, the report said. The attack, the Pakistanis say, is being planned to avenge the killing of Zakir Musa who headed an al-Qaeda affiliate and was killed by Indian security personnel last month.
It is yet not clear if the elimination of militants in Anantnag encounter today was due to Pakistani inputs, but one thing is certain and that is Pakistan is working hard to clear its name from FAFT grey-list for promoting and financing terrorism, which has drawn the country to near bankruptcy.
