J-K: Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in Kulgam

Kulgam (Jammu and Kashmir), July 27: An encounter has broken out between security forces and unidentified terrorists at the Brayihard Kathpora area of Kulgam on early Wednesday. "#Encounter has started at Brayihard Kathpora area of #Kulgam. Police and Army on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice," the Kashmir Zone Police said on Twitter on Wednesday morning. More details about the encounter are awaited. Earlier, on July 24, in another similar incident, a confrontation broke out between terrorists and security forces at the Rampora area in South Kashmir's Kulgam district, officials said. "Encounter has started at Rampora area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job," police had stated. On July 20, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai revealed that as per the data 128 security force personnel and 118 civilians were killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir from August 5, 2019, to July 9, 2022. Submitting a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the Nityanand Rai said of the total 118 civilians killed, five were Kashmiri Pandits and 16 belonged to other Hindu/Sikh communities. Also Read | Chandigarh's PGI ready to tackle Monkeypox cases The minister was responding to a question asking how many civilians, pilgrims, and security personnel have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists since August 5, 2019, and how many of those were Hindus and Kashmir Pandits. The administration has a zero tolerance stance against terrorism, and Jammu and Kashmir's security situation has improved significantly. Terror attacks have reduced dramatically from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021. Furthermore, under the PM's Development Package, 5502 Kashmiri Pandits were provided govt jobs in the Valley, Rai said. As per the records, no Kashmiri Pandit has reportedly migrated from the Valley during the said period, the MoS Home added. On August 5, 2019, the Union government introduced a resolution in Parliament to repeal Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status, and to divide the state into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, two union territories. Also Read | Vicky Middukhera murder case: Mohali police file chargesheet; 3 shooters among six named -PTC News