Fidayeen attack, operation over third militant also killed

Srinagar, Jan 1: With the killing of third fidayeen of Jaish-e-Mohammad (Jem), the over 36-hour-long encounter has ended in south Kashmir’s Pulwama, where five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were martyred and three others were wounded.

Director General of Police S P Vaid said the third militant, who was holed up in CRPF camp at Lethopora, Pulwama, has been killed on Monday and the operation is over.
Taking to the micro blogging site twitter, Dr Vaid said, 'Finally the operation has concluded with the recovery of body of the third terrorist.'
Official sources told UNI that the operation was stopped late last night though security forces remained deployed in the entire area to foil any attempt by militants to escape.
'We heard intermittent firing from the area during the night, local residents said, adding security forces have sealed all roads leading to CRPF camp at Lethpora, Pulwama.
Sources said the operation was stopped late last night to avoid further casualties. However, with first light on Monday morning security forces resumed the operation. Security forces killed the third militant who was holed up in the camp.
The operation was declared closed after security forces conducted thorough search in the entire camp, they said.
The encounter ensued after a group of militants stormed into 185 battalion CRPF camp at Lethpora in Pulwama in the wee hours of Sunday. Militants of JeM hurled grenades and resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons on the sentry at main gate, leading to encounter.
Five CRPF personnel, including an Inspector, were martyred and three others were injured. Two local militants were also killed in the encounter. Bodies of both the militants have been recovered.
The authorities have suspended internet service in Pulwama besides train service between Badgam-Srinagar to Banihal in Jammu region via south Kashmir has been suspended for security reasons. UNI