Jammu, March 7: One terrorist was gunned down by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara following a brief gunfight on Thursday. According to reports, the encounter between security forces and terrorists broke out in Kralgund village of Handwara. The search operation is currently underway and the identity of the militant is yet to be ascertained. Based on credible input about the presence of terrorists in the area, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by police and the security forces. Handwara Encounter: 5 Security Personnel Martyred, 1 Civilian Dead in Gunfight; 2 Terrorists Killed.

The encounter comes days after eight people including two militants, five security men and a civilian were killed in the 48-hour-long gunfight. Five CRPF troopers, including an inspector, two local policemen and a civilian were killed during the encounter in Babagund village of Handwara that started on March 1 and ended on March 3. The civilian named Waseem Ahmad Mir was also killed in the encounter. According to reports, security forces had started a cordon-and-search operation in Babagund village of Handwara area following information about the presence of militants there. Kupwara Encounter: 2 CRPF Jawans, 2 Jammu And Kashmir Policemen Martyred in Gunfight, 1 Civilian Dead. 

The gunfight broke out on March 1 when the security forces were carrying out searches after firing exchanges had stopped at the encounter site when a militant. The terrorist,  presumed to be dead, rose from the debris of a blasted house and fired indiscriminately at security forces.

Reports inform that as many as 14 JeM terrorists have been gunned down in Kashmir since the terror group claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide bomb attack in Pulwama that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 07, 2019 08:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).