Four terrorists killed in Sunderbani area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district

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Jammu: Four terrorists were on Wednesday killed in a gunfight with security forces in the Sunderbani area of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. 

The militants had infiltrated into the Indian territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) about four-five days ago, prompting security forces to launch a search operation in the area.

Authorities had ordered the closure of educational institutions in the Sunderbani tehsil in view of the search operation. The encounter broke out in the Nowshera-Sunderbani belt after the group of infiltrating terrorists was intercepted by the security forces early on Wednesday.

SSP, Rajouri, Yougal Manhas said three bags containing ammunition and explosives were recovered from outside a CRPF camp in Sunderbani, as per PTI.

Manhas said the police and other security forces had been conducting a combing operation to track down the terrorists for four to five days.

4 Terrorists killed in joint operation in Sunderbani Rajouri. It was a group recently infiltrated from LOC. Great job boys — Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) March 28, 2018

We have killed 4 terrorists, it was a joint operation by Police, Army & BSF. Arms & ammunition have also been recovered: SSP Rajouri on Sunderbani encounter #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/NPiFA1RhuQ — ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2018

Jammu & Kashmir: Arms and ammunition recovered from four terrorists killed in Sunderbani encounter. pic.twitter.com/DiYtFtbNpx — ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2018

Earlier on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shahid Iqbal Choudary had ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the Sunderbani sector in view of the search operation.

On February 10, 2018, a group of militants had attacked the Sunjwan Army camp, killing five jawans and a civilian. Three terrorists were also gunned down by the security forces. 

Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh had said on March 26, 2018, that there could be no leniency towards terrorism and a terrorist should be treated as a terrorist. The Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office had also said that a majority of the youth in Kashmir were part of the mainstream development journey of India led by PM Narendra Modi and did not wish to be deprived of the enormous opportunities being availed by their peers across the country.

"At the same time, a keen endeavour is continuously going on to bring back into the mainstream, a few of the youth who have gone astray. But, there can be no leniency or premium on terrorism and a terrorist is to be treated like a terrorist," he had told reporters while responding to queries about new Hurriyat chief Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai's refusal to dissuade his son from joining the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group in Kashmir.

Lauding the role of the security forces in Kashmir, Singh had said that even while following the policy of hot pursuit against terrorists and Pakistan-sponsored militancy, the security personnel were constantly striving to motivate the local youth not to fall prey to false propaganda or allurement to join militant ranks.

(With PTI inputs)