August 12:On a specific input regarding presence of terrorists in the orchards of village Kamrazipora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 53RR and 183BN CRPF in the said area.

During the search operation as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, 01 terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Azaad Lalhari resident of Pulwama. During the said encounter, two Army jawans also received bullet injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment. However, one of the injured Army jawan succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom. We pay our rich tributes to the martyr for his supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.

As per police records, Azaad was affiliated with proscribed terror outfit HM. According to the Police records, Azaad had a history of terror crime records and was involved in planning and executing several terror attacks in the area. Several terror crime cases were registered against him including Case FIR No. 112/2020 pertaining to the killing of HC Anoop Singh at Prichoo Pulwama, besides he was also involved in other terror crime cases including FIR No.’s 274/2014, 121/2015, 21/2017, 48/2017, 36/2020 of district Pulwama and case FIR No. 263/2017 of district Budgam.

Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other terror crimes.

Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead body of the killed terrorist shall be sent to Baramulla for his burial & last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the killed terrorist were allowed to participate in the last rites at Baramulla.

In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Rajpora and investigation has been initiated.

People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.```