Terrorists hiding in Sumlar forest in J&K's Bandipora, encounter underway

JAMMU: A fierce encounter is currently underway between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Thursday.

According to ANI, the encounter began after a group of unidentified terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces in the Sumlar forest area in the Bandipora district.

#JammuAndKashmir: An encounter has started between terrorists and security forces in the forest area in Sumlar of Bandipora. Earlier a cordon and search operation had been launched in the area to nab terrorists. More details awaited. — ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2018

The security forces had launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in the area after receiving specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. 

The encounter was launched at Chowgam area of Qazigund. 

The Bandipora encounter comes days after five terrorists were gunned down in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam. 

The terrorists reportedly belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen. They were trapped inside a residential house.

They were identified as Gulzar Ahmad Padder, Faisal Ahmad Rather, Zahid Ahmad Mir, Masroor Molvi and Zahoor Ahmad Lone.

A huge quantity of weapons was also recovered from the slain terrorists after the encounter came to an end.