JeM Terrorist, Believed to Be Pulwama Attack Mastermind, Killed
A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist, believed to be the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack, has been gunned down in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Monday, 18 February. Four Army men, including a Major, were also killed in the encounter that broke out in the early hours of the day.
According to reports, a civilian was also killed in the encounter.
The gunfight started late on Sunday night, 17 February, after security forces – including the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operations Group (SOG) of the state police and the CRPF – surrounded Pinglena village after a tip-off about suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed militants hiding in the area.
45 security personnel have been killed in the state in the last five days. On Thursday, 14 February, 40 jawans were killed in a deadly attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama’s Awantipora area.
- The encounter site is said to be some 10 km away from the spot where 40 CRPF jawans were killed
- At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed after a car carrying about 350 kg of explosives hit a CRPF convoy of 78 vehicles on 14 February
JeM Mastermind of Pulwama Attack Killed: Report
A Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist identified as Kamran, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack, has been killed, reported CNN-News18, citing sources. Another JeM terrorist has also been killed in the encounter, while one more is believed to be still trapped.
Top JeM Commander Believed to Be Trapped
A top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander linked to the Pulwama attack is believed to be trapped in the ongoing encounter with security forces, ANI reported, citing sources.
Four Armymen Killed in Encounter Identified
The four army men who were killed in the encounter have been identified as Major VS Dhoundiyal, Havaldar Sheo Ram, Sepoy Ajay Kumar and Sepoy Hari Singh.
Two Terrorists Believed to Be Trapped at Pulwama Encounter Site
A Pakistan-based terrorist Kamran and a local named Hilal are believed to be trapped at the encounter site in Pulwama, reported CNN-News18.
Firing Resumes at Encounter Site: Report
According to reports, firing has resumed at the encounter site in Pulwama as the area is under cordon. The operation is still on.