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SRINAGAR: Four terrorists belonging to Ansar Gazwatul Hind, an offshoot of al-Qaida, were killed in an encounter with security forces at Daramdora in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Sunday. According to a police spokesperson, security forces launched a cordon and-search operation in Daramdora following information about the presence of terrorists there.

As the forces were conducting searches, the hiding terrorists fired upon them. The fire was retaliated, leading to the killings. The slain terrorists have been identified as Rafi Hassan Mir, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Showkat Ahmad Mir and Azad Ahmad Khanday, the spokesperson said. While Showkat had joined militant ranks in 2015, the other three were recently roped in.

“Showkat was instrumental in recruiting Azad, Rafi and Suhail. He was initially associated with Hizbul Mujahideen,” he said. The slain terrorists had of late joined Ansar Gazwatul Hind according to police sources.

“As per records, Showkat was wanted for his complicity in a series of crimes, including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities,” the spokesperson said.

