Handwara encounter: Two terrorists, five security personnel killed as gunfight enters third day

The encounter between security forces and terrorists in Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district entered the third day on Sunday. 

Two terrorists have been killed in the ongoing operation against terrorists.
 
Five security personnel, including three CRPF soldiers and two Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, have been killed in the encounter so far. 

A civilian has also been killed in the crossfire.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in, official sources said. 

Mobile internet in Handwara also remained suspended since Friday morning.

Security forces resumed operation against militants at Baba Gund area in Kralgund Handwara in Kupwara district.

Para Commandos also joined the search operation against holed up militants on Saturday. 

Security forces have spotted dead bodies of terrorists killed at the encounter site in Handwara. 

The two bodies have been spotted near the debris of a house while searches are ongoing. 

Gunfire has stopped since yesterday evening after forces blasted the second house where militants were believed to be hiding.

On Friday, four security personnel including two policemen and two CRPF jawans succumbed to their injuries during an encounter with terrorists in Handwara town of Kupwara district. 

One civilian was also killed in the encounter, officials said. Based on credible input about the presence of terrorists in Baba Gund area of Kralgund in Handwara, a cordon and search operation was launched on Friday jointly by police and security forces in the area, the police said. 

The encounter broke out after the terrorists fired indiscriminately on the search party. 

The two police personnel who lost their lives were identified as SgCt Naseer Ahmad Kholi and SgCt Ghulam Mustafa Barah, while the two CRPF personnel were identified as Inspector Pintu and Ct Vinod. The slain civilian was identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir.

(With inputs from agencies)