In a joint briefing by Jammu and Kashmir Police and the army in Srinagar on Monday, top officials told media that the security forces had "eliminated" another JeM commander, a key conspirator of the Pulwama terror attack, in the Tral encounter earlier in the day.

The briefing was jointly addressed by Lt General KJS Dhillon, GoC 15 Corps, and SP Pani, IG, J&K Police.

"In last 21 days, we have eliminated 18 terrorists, out of the 14 being from JeM, 6 out of 14 were main commanders. JeM's 2nd commander Mudasir-main conspirator in national highway convoy attack has also been eliminated," Dhillon, Corps Commander of the Chinar Corps, said. Pakistani militant Khalid was also killed in the encounter.

"The main conspirators (of Pulwama) Mudasir and Kamran have been killed. We have gone with all force against JeM. Six terrorists killed since attack are A+ category," he said.

Pani said one of the militants killed has been identified as 'Code Khalid' and is believed to be from Pakistan.

Indian Army Sources: In first 70 days of 2019, security forces have been successful in eliminating 44 terrorists, mainly from Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Against 1629 ceasefire violations along Line of Control in 2018, this year 478 ceasefire violations have already taken place along LoC pic.twitter.com/iqVrRhyZUE — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2019 ×

The officials added that in the first 70 days of 2019, security forces have been successful in eliminating 44 terrorists, mainly from Jaish-e-Mohammed. "Against 1629 ceasefire violations along Line of Control in 2018, this year 478 ceasefire violations have already taken place along LoC," the officials stated.

Based on a credible input about the presence of terrorists in Pinglish area of Tral Awantipora, a cordon and search operation was launched today jointly by Police and security forces in the area.

As the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight. Army officials state that a search operation is still underway.

One of the key conspirators of the Pulwama attack, Kamran Hilaal, was killed in an encounter in the Pinglan area of Pulwama on February 18.

A joint team of the Army's 55RR, CRPF and SOG Pulwama launched cordon and search operation in Pinglan area.

Two terrorists — Hilal Ahmad and Kamran Hilaal — were killed in the encounter. Authorities said Kamran Hilaal, who they say is a Pakistani official, was the mastermind of the Pulwama attack.