The encounter in the vicinity of Nishat on the banks of the Dal Lake comes close on the heels of a day-long encounter in the Khanyar locality of downtown Srinagar early this month which left a top Pakistani commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) dead.The encounter in Zabarwan lasted several hours before the guns fell silent but the terrorists managed to flee taking advantage of the thick foliage.However, the search for the fleeing terrorists was continuing when the last reports were received, the officials said.Soon after the exchange of fire began, additional reinforcements from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of police and the CRPF rushed to the area and placed it under a tight cordon.The security forces also restricted the movement of civilians in an attempt to prevent any loss of lives.Even media persons, who reached the spot to report the encounter, were kept at a safe distance.Earlier, police in a post on X said, “A join police and security forces operation was launched in Zabarwan forest area of Srinagar based on specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists. An exchange of fire ensued during the operation.” Amid escalated terror activities, especially after the formation of the National Conference government on October 16, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha recently directed the security forces to go for hot pursuit of terrorists and ensure that no terror activities are carried out to breach the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Valley.
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