J-K: Security forces gun down two terrorists involved in killing of Kashmiri Pandit
Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir), February 28: Security forces on Tuesday neutralised two terrorists involved in the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit in South Kashmir's Pulwama. A soldier succumbed to injuries in the operation, said the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) statement.
Based on specific information, the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a joint cordon and search operation in Potgampora, Pulwama, on Monday evening. To avoid security forces, the terrorists took over a mosque in the target area. To protect the mosque's sanctity, security forces closed in and appealed to the terrorists to surrender.
However, the terrorists opened fire on security forces and used civilians in the target area as a shield to escape when cornered. According to the Defence PRO statement, security forces used extreme caution and evacuated civilians praying inside the mosque to avoid collateral damage.
Also Read | Delhi Excise policy: SC refuses to entertain Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia's plea against arrest by CBI
To protect the sacred precincts, security forces fired with extreme caution and neutralised one terrorist on the spot. Meanwhile, the second terrorist fled and took refuge in the adjacent building, which housed local residents. During the several-hour-long firefight, security forces not only neutralised the second terrorist but also safely evacuated the civilians trapped inside the house.
During this action, Sepoy Pawan Kumar and Naik Hemraj, who led from the front, were shot multiple times and were immediately evacuated to Srinagar's 92 Base Hospital. Following the elimination of both terrorists, a search of the area yielded the recovery of two AK series rifles, one pistol, three grenades, and other war-like supplies, according to the statement.
- ANI
