December 15
An encounter has started between Militants and Government Forces in Kharpora area of Sirnoo in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District on Saturday morning.
Official sources told The Kashmiriyat that 55 RR of Indian Army, SOG of Police and 182, 183 BN of CRPF jointly launched the Anti Militancy operation.
Earlier Forces had launched a Cordon and Search Operation in the area upon receiving a specific input about presence of Militants in the Pulwama area.
The troopers blocked all the entry and exit points to the Sirnoo area, and started massive search operation during which the holed up Militants opened fire upon the troopers, triggering an encounter.
2-3 Militants are believed to be trapped in the area, Local sources told The Kashmiriyat.
Pertinently Sirnoo is the native village of Zahoor Ahmed Thokar, the army man who had deserted along a service rifle in 2017. (The Kashmiriyat)
LIVE UPDATES
08:30 am: More reinforcements Rushed to the spot, two Militants believed to be holed up.
08:35 am: Massive clashes erupt as people from nearby areas gather trying to march towards the encounter site.
08:40 am: One sided firing going on, After initial contact, no firing hear from the side of Militants, as per locals.
08:42 am: Announcements being made on Masjid Loudspeakers asking people to come out of their houses and help trapped militants, Sirnoo is the native of 173 Territorial Army and had deserted with a service rifle in 2017 to join the militant outfit, Hizb ul Mujahideen.
08:50 am: After a lull of nearly ten minutes, firing restarts, more troopers called to the spot.
08: 51 am: Two Army men critically injured in initial exchange of gunfire, Shifted to Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar for treatment.
08:56 am: Militants are believed to be trapped in a poultry farm in the area.
08:58 am: Two unidentified Militants reportedly killed at the encounter site, massive clashes continue.
09:05 am: Youth named Amir Ahmed, a resident of Ashmandar hit with a bullet near clashes at Encounter site, Referred to nearby hospital.
09:10 am: Army starts search operation to find the bodies of the militants.
09:28 am: No dead bodies retrieved yet from the encounter site.
09:30 am: More CRPF Troopers called to the spot as massive clashes continue, spread to nearby areas.
10:00 am: Firing Restarts at the encounter site, One Body Recovered Only.
10:40 am: Massive Blast heard near the encounter site, Massive Exchange of Fire restarts.