Security forces used tear smoke shells to force the two terrorists out of the mosque in Pompore.
Eight terrorists were killed in two encounters in Shopian and Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir in the last 24 hours. In the Pampore operation, security forces eliminated two terrorists who were holed up inside a mosque. There was "no use of firing and IEDs" and "only tear smoke shells" were used to "maintain sanctity of the mosque", the police said.
"While conducting operation at Meez Pampore full sanctity of the mosque was maintained. Local people and Masjid committee expressed happiness and thanked district police chief Mr Tahir (Saleem) for patience and good supervision. They also complimented Army and CRPF involved in the operation for restraint," Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Dilbag Singh said.
In almost every operation security forces use Improvised Explosive Devices ( IED) and heavy firing to target houses where terrorists take refuge. The encounter in Pompore is one of the rarest of rare operation when tear smoke shells were used to kill the terrorists.
Police say security forces launched anti-terror operation in both areas yesterday morning after receiving specific information about the presence of terrorists. While five terrorists were killed in Shopian, three were killed in Pampore.
One terrorist was killed in the gunfight in Pampore on Thursday, but two others entered a nearby mosque to take refuge inside it, the official said.
On Friday morning, both terrorists were killed after security forces used tear smoke shells in mosque.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said no firing or IED was used.
"Patience and professionalism worked. No use of firing and IED. Used tear smoke shells only. Maintained sanctity of the mosque. Both terrorists hiding inside mosque neutralised," he said.
Meanwhile in Shopian, five terrorists were killed in the anti-terror operation in Munand area today. So far, police have not disclosed the identity of the terrorists or details about the weapons recovered from them.
More than two dozen terrorists have been killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two weeks. All of these killed terrorists are locals.
With inputs from PTI