Amid high-voltage electioneering going on in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency of North Kashmir, a joint team of security forces on Friday eliminated two terrorists in the Nowpora area of Sopore.
A civilian and two security personnel were also injured in the exchange of firing which continued intermittently during the night. The condition of all three personnel is stable.
According to the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range VK Birdi, “a joint operation was launched by the security forces on receipt of information about the presence of terrorists in the Nowpora area of Sopore in the Baramulla district late Thursday evening”. IG Kashmir said that during the search operations, the hiding terrorists opened indiscriminate firing on the security personnel leading to a fierce gunfight.
The intermittent firing continued during the night. The two terrorists were neutralised early Friday morning after fresh contact was established.
The entire area was sanitised after the recovery of arms ammunition and other incriminating material. IG Kashmir VK Birdi said the identity of the slain terrorists is yet to be ascertained. Based on documents recovered from the encounter site one of the terrorists has been identified as Saifullah, he added.
Voting is scheduled to take place during the fifth phase of polling on May 20. Peoples’ Conference Chairman Sajad Lone and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah are locked in a straight fight on the Lok Sabha seat.
