Kashmir encounter: 5 security personnel, 2 terrorists, 1 civilian killed, search underway

Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India), Mar 3 (ANI): Five security personnel and one civilian lost their lives in the encounter between security forces and terrorists in encounter operations which entered its third day in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Two terrorists were gunned down by security forces on Sunday during the encounter, which officials said is almost over and searches are on.
“Operation is almost over and final search is on. We've recovered two bodies of terrorists and their identities and affiliations are being ascertained. The reason for prolonged operation is tough terrain along with heavy civilian population. We've lost three CRPF and two Jammu and Kashmir police personnel during the encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara in Kupwara district,” IGP Kashmir SP Pani told ANI.
The CRPF jawan, who succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, has been identified as Sham Narayan Singh Yadav.
"This operation posed considerable difficulties to the security forces due to the topography of the area. The area, where the terrorists were hiding, was very congested and civilians in the adjoining houses had to be evacuated to the safer places away from the site of the encounter," they added.
CRPF has recovered incriminating materials including arms and ammunition from the site of encounter.
Police have registered a case in this matter and the incriminating materials retrieved from the site of the encounter, which have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror cases.
The security personnel have requested citizens are requested not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials.
People have also requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any. (ANI)