Soldier, SPO killed in Pulwama encounter

SRINAGAR: An Army jawan and a special police officer (SPO) of J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) were killed during an anti-insurgency operation in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s

Pulwama district

on Tuesday.

Based on intelligence inputs, a joint team of Army’s 50 RR, 185 Bn, CRPF and J&K Police’s SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation in Awantipora’s Khrew area. There was no fire exchange until 12pm. “As the security forces zeroed in on the terrorists’ hideout, the latter opened fire at the search party, triggering an encounter,” said an official.

“In the ensuing gunfight, SPO Shahbaz Ahmed, a resident of

Rajouri district

, was killed on the spot while Army’s Rahul Kumar (50 RR) sustained bullet injuries. Kumar was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed during treatment,” a police spokesperson said.

Soon after the encounter, a search operation was underway in the area to trace holed-in terrorists. It was called off later in the evening, officials said.

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