Budgam: In a drive to flush out terrorists from Kashmir Valley, security forces gunned down two terrorists during an encounter in Sutsu village of Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir.

During the encounter, at least four soldiers were also injured. It is believed that this could be the result of modern weapons terrorists were using. According to the reports, one American M4 - a lighter variant sniper rifle with a telescoping stock and a INSAS, which is used by Indian forces, were recovered from their hideout.

Recovery of M4 rifle is significant as this rifle is rarely used by terrorists. Earlier ‘sniper expert’ Usman Ibrahim of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the nephew of Masood Azhar, was found to be using it. He was killed in an encounter at Chankitar village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district last year.

Mostly used by the NATO forces battling Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, this American origin rifle is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle. The gun has a 14.5 in (370 mm) barrel.



Security forces are yet to identify the slain terrorists. However, it is believed that they were affiliated with JeM.

The joint operation was carried by personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indian Army & Jammu and Kashmir Police. After receiving a tip-off about the presence of 2-3 terrorists in Sutsu village, security forces cordoned off the area and conducted search operations. Contacts were established with the terrorists but they refused to surrender. Following which a gun battle ensued and two terrorists succumbed to bullet injuries.

Earlier, on Thursday security forces killed three terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district. A large cache of weapons was also recovered from the slain terrorists. Later, the Jammu & Kashmir Police identified the slain terrorists as Sajad Khanday, Aqib Ahmad Dar and Basharat Ahmad Mir, all residents of Pulwama district. It was a combined group of terror outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and LeT.