Budgam encounter: 3 Hizbul terrorists gunned down; hunt on for more

Srinagar: An encounter broke out on Tuesday evening between security forces and terrorists in central Kashmir’s Budgam district. In an over-night encounter, which finally ended successfully on Wednesday morning, killed three Hizbul terrorists. The security forces launched a hunt for the rest. The encounter came a day after terrorists launched an attack on pilgrims travelling to Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, which killed 6 people and injured 19. Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Redbug area of Budgam on Tuesday evening after receiving specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, said a police official who refused to be identified. He said the search operation turned into an encounter as the security forces were fired upon by the militants. The security arrangements have been beefed up in Jammu and Kashmir post Amarnath attack. In fact, many states were put on high alert including the national capital. The attack gathered a lot of angst from everyone. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti stated the attack as shameful and as an incident which stained the reputation of Kashmir and that of Muslims. She thereafter ensured that the culprits would be put to justice and strictest action would be taken against them.