Militants likely gave slips to forces in Pulwama encounter

Earlier, it was believed that two militants were killed in the encounter. However, sources said as the searches resumed this morning at the encounter site, no militant was found, and even drone service was used.

An Army jawan was injured in an overnight encounter with militants while the ultras likely gave a slip to security forces in Parigam area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday.

The encounter erupted on Sunday night after security forces cordoned off Larrow-Parigam following a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area, reports said. In the initial exchange of firing, one soldier received injuries.

“Encounter had started in the Larrow-Parigam area of #Pulwama. Police & Security Forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Zone Police said on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, it was believed that two militants, including a Lashkar-e-Taiba’s top commander, were killed in the encounter. However, sources said as the searches resumed this morning at the encounter site, no militant was found, and even drone service was used.

“The militants likely took advantage of darkness and managed to escape since it is a vast paddy field,” they said. Sources said security forces have launched search operations in the higher reaches of south Kashmir areas following inputs about the presence of militants there.

On August 4, three Army personnel were killed in an encounter with militants in the upper reaches of neighbouring Kulgam district. A senior police officer said that after relentless operations by security forces, residual militants may have taken shelter in woods of south Kashmir.

“There are some local militants, who are being led by Pakistani terrorists and they are believed to be hiding in forest areas. The search operations are on to flush them out,” he said.