Srinagar encounter: The security forces are running a combing operation at Batmaloo
A Special Operations Group policeman was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Srinagar this morning. A Jammu and Kashmir Police and two CRPF personnel were also injured in the fierce gunfight at Batmaloo in the state capital. The operation is over, but the terrorists managed to escape.
Two overground workers of terror groups have been captured, Kashmir zone police tweeted. No weapons have been recovered from the encounter site, the police said. "Incriminating material was recovered from the site of encounter. Besides this, two accomplices of the terrorists have been detained," Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a statement.
The owner of the house where the terrorists were hiding was also injured, news agency IANS reported, quoting a senior police officer.
The security forces are advancing with extreme caution as the congested area has several narrow lanes. All roads leading to Batmaloo have been blocked too.
Mobile internet in Srinagar had been snapped for some hours before it was restored post-noon.
"A group of five militants were there... They lobbed a grenade and opened fired, and then escaped because of darkness. The area is very congested and forces exercised restraint so that there is no collateral damage as the houses there are roof to roof," senior police officer Munir Khan told reporters.
Mobile internet in Srinagar had been snapped for some hours before it was restored post-noon.
A police officer said security forces launched a search operation in Batmaloo early morning today after getting intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the city area.
The search operation soon turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired at the security forces.
On a specific information about presence of terrorists in a hideout, an operation was launched in Batmaloo Srinagar leading to exchange of fire, one SOG boy martyred, one JKP & 2 CRPF Jawans sustained injuries, operation continues.
- Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) August 12, 2018
The combing operation will continue as we believe that terrorists hiding in the area.
Security analysts say the presence of terrorists right in the heart of Srinagar, three days before Independence Day, raises concern.
