Three terrorists have been killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Indian Army said.

Kulgam: Indian Army Says 3 Terrorists Killed, 40-Hour Hong Encounter Concludes

Three terrorists, including a wanted terrorist of Lashkar-e-Taiba Basit Dar, have been killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Indian Army said, adding that the gunfight that began on Monday night concluded after almost 40 hours on Thursday morning. On the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, a fierce exchange of fire broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Redwani Payeen area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam. Following this, the Indian army and the Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation.

One of the eliminated terrorists – Basit Dar – e was involved in more than 18 cases, including killings of police and innocent civilians and planning of attacks on minorities. Last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh on Basit Dar in a case of civilian killing and also issued a non-bailable warrant against him as he was accused of killing two non-local labourers in Kulgam in 2021.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, terrorists targeted an IAF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, killing one IAF personnel and injuring four others. According to media reports, the convoy was the last of three vehicles moving from Jaranwalli Gali to Shahistar Top – where the IAF has a base.

Reportedly, around 200 bullets were fired upon the vehicle within a span of 15 minutes. While no terror organisation claimed responsibility for the attack on the IAF convoy, it is reportedly suspected that those involved appear to be well-versed with the topography of the area.

On Camera, Lashkar Terrorists Who Attacked Air Force Convoy In J&K’s Poonch

Photographs – from CCTV footage – have been released of three terrorists believed to be involved in the attack on an Air Force convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district last week, in which Corporal Vikky Pahade was killed and four of his colleagues injured.

All three reportedly used high-powered assault rifles, United States-made M4s and Russian-made AK-47s, in the attack, which was the first major strike of the year in an area that witnessed several terror-related strikes on military targets and soldiers last year.

The three have been identified as Illiyas, a former Pakistan Army commando, a Pakistani terrorist called Hadoon (or Hadun), and Abu Hamza, the code-name of commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba.