Srinagar, Mar 17 (UNI) A Pakistani militant was killed in an encounter in North Kashmir’s Handwara sub district on Monday, police said.



This is the first militant killing in Kashmir this year.



The gunbattle erupted this morning between militants and security forces at Krumhoora Zachaldara forest area.



The Army said that based on specific intelligence input regarding the presence of militants, a joint operation was launched with J&K Police in the area. They said an exchange of fire took place when suspicious activity was observed during the operation.



“On being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Own troops effectively retaliated, resulting in neutralisation of one terrorist alongwith recovery of one AK Rifle,” Army’s Chinar Corps said in a post on X.



Senior Superintendent of Police, Handwara Mushtaq Ahmad said the slain was a Pakistan terrorist Saifullah.



“He was active in the area for some time,” Ahmed said.



This was the first encounter in nearly two months in Kashmir.



The last gunfight took place on January 20-21 in north Kashmir’s Sopore sub-district, where a soldier was killed. The militants, however, had managed to escape from the area.



Meanwhile, security forces detected and defused a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday



Officials said a suspicious object was found in the Qaimoh on Shopian Anantnag road by security forces during a routine patrolling.



"The area was immediately cordoned off, and the traffic movement on the busy highway was halted," officials said.





"A bomb disposal squad was called, and they found the suspect object as an IED. It was later blasted in a controlled explosion without causing any damage," they said.



The traffic on the road was later restored.

UNI MJR CS