Indian Army
Indian Army jawans during a patrol in Jammu and Kashmir.IANS File Photo

A policeman was injured and three terrorists were killed in an encounter that went on for hours in the Kalaroos area of the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. Reports from the ground said the security forces had reports of exactly three terrorists being holed up in the area. It was reported later that a 12-year-old girl had also died in the encounter. 

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The police as well as the Indian Army had received a tip-off that two-three terrorists were hiding in the area. They cordoned off the area and launched a search operation. The terrorists — who turned out to be three in number — opened fire during the operation, and the Indian security forces retaliated. 

A policeman taking part in the encounter was injured by the terrorists, while the security forces managed to neutralise one of them. As efforts were on to capture or neutralise the other two terrorists, one of them was also killed in the encounter. 

The third one held on for hours, before being neutralised by the security forces late on Wednesday afternoon. The security forces were reportedly searching the area in case there were more terrorists hiding there. They were also looking for the weapons, equipment and rations the terrorists had carried.

It was reported later that a 12-year-old girl had also been killed in the encounter. It is yet to be ascertained whether she was held hostage by the terrorists and whether she died in the crossfire.