The encounter took place at the Nagnad-Chimmer area of Kulgam district. (Representational image)
A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad known to be an IED expert was among the three terrorists killed during an encounter in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning, police said. He was responsible for a large number of attacks on security forces, including an IED attack, in the recent past, they added.
"Three terrorists were killed in a joint operation launched by the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) units, Army and the Kulgam Police on a credible input about the presence of terrorists in village Chimmer," Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbag Singh said.
Three army soldiers were also injured in the anti-terror operation at the Nagnad-Chimmer area of the south Kashmir district, police said.
The terrorist commander killed in the operation had escaped previously from three to four encounters, police said.
"The killed terrorists are from Jaish e Mohammed and reportedly include a Top Terrorist commander known to be an IED expert taking direct instructions from his Pakistani handlers and was responsible for a large number of attacks including many IED attempts against security forces in the recent past. He was reportedly able to escape from 3/4 encounters, leaving behind an MO 4 American rifle in one case," police said in a statement.
The security forces had launched a pre-dawn operation in Nagnad area following the information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.
The search operation turned into an encounter when the terrorists opened fire on the security forces. A fierce gun battle followed in which the terrorists were killed. Three soldiers were also injured in the operation and were evacuated to army hospital, police said.