April 02:* ```Just after the attack on BJP leader in Nowgam Srinagar, Srinagar Police shared a lead with Pulwama Police regarding presence of terrorists in Larve Pulwama. Pulwama Police further developed the specific intelligence regarding presence of terrorists in a residential house belonging to Nawaz Ahmad Dar in village Dhobi Mohalla area of Kakapora. Accordingly, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 50RR and 183Bn CRPF in the said area.

During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. The joint party also tactfully rescued five civilians who were made hostages by the trapped terrorists. During encounter, a stray bullet hit a woman in her leg and was immediately removed to hospital for treatment where her condition is stated to be stable.

In the ensuing encounter, three terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Junaid Ahmad Nengroo resident of Prichoo Pulwama, Suhail Nisar Lone and Yawar Ahmad Wani both residents of Khrew Pampore, affiliated with proscribed terror outfits Al-Badr/LeT.

Preliminary investigation revealed that yesterday’s Nowgam terror attack was jointly carried out by Srinagar/Pulwama based terrorists of LeT and Al-Badr outfits in which one police personnel attained martyrdom and his rifle was also snatched. Terrorists Suhail Nisar and Junaid Ahmad used an Alto-800 vehicle bearing registration number JK13E-2098 to commute from Nowgam to Pulwama which belongs to the house owner where encounter took place. Pertinently, the SLR rifle snatched from the martyred policeman yesterday at Nowgam was also recovered from the encounter site and the recovery of the rifle corroborates the involvement of the killed terrorists in the said attack.

IGP Kashmir congratulates the joint teams of Srinagar/Pulwama Police, Army and CRPF for their role in neutralizing the involved terrorists in less than 24hrs of Nowgam terror attack.

Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle, 01 SLR rifle and 01 pistol were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.

The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.

During the withdrawal of the forces from encounter site, some miscreants resorted to stone pelting on Police/SFs and the crowd were dispersed by using non-lethal weapons in which a few miscreants received minor injuries.

In this connection Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated.```