J&K: Encounter breaks between terrorists, security forces at Sugoo Hendhama in Shopian

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in the Sugoo Hendhama area of the Shopian district in south Kashmir.

A top police official confirmed that the encounter broke out between a joint team of security forces and terrorists. According to reports, around two to three terrorists are trapped in the region.

"It is a joint operation of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police, the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)," the official confirmed, "They launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Sugoo Hendhama after getting input regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. Around 5.30 AM, contact established between the forces and militants."

Kashmir Zone Police tweeted, "Encounter has started at #Sugoo area of #Shopain. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice”

A J&K Police official said, "As the joint team of forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. It was retaliated upon, triggering the encounter. They further said that the terrorists were first asked to surrender. The input is that two to three militants are believed to be trapped but the actual number can only be known when the operation ends."

This is the third encounter in the Shopian district in one week. Nine terrorists were killed in the last two encounters in the district and all of them were identified to have been of the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit. Three among the nine slain terrorists were top commanders of the outfit, the police had earlier informed.