NIA to begin investigation into Handwara encounter today

A team of 10-12 members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will begin their investigation into the Handwara encounter on Friday.

A fierce gun battle broke out between the security forces and militants after the latter opened fire at the 30 Rashtriya Rifles army camp in Langate town located in Handwara in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir around 5 am on Thursday. Three militants were neutralised.

"Three Pakistani terrorists were eliminated. They were carrying a huge cache of arms including 3 AK-47 rifles. GPS, maps, grenades, radio sets and food items have also been recovered. There could have been more terrorists. Search operation is still underway," Colonel Rajiv Saharan told reporters, adding that food supplies bear Pakistani markings on them.

The first stand-off went on for about 15-20 minutes, after which the army carried out a search operation. But the militants opened fire on the army personnel who were carrying out the search operation around 6:30 am leading to a second round of exchange of fire.

Movement of some suspicious persons was also seen in the Jourian area of Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector. A search operation is being carried out in the area, ANI reported.

Pakistan has carried out several ceasefire violations since the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) killing two Pakistani soldiers and 38 terrorists on the night of September 28.

Three Pakistani boats have also been seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Coast Guard from Gujarat and Punjab and crew members have been taken into custody for interrogation. Intelligence agencies had also warned the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) of two Pakistani boats that had left the Karachi port and were on their way to the coast of either Gujarat or Maharashtra. 

An Indian Army camp was attacked by terrorists in Janbazpora area of Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday night claiming the life of one BSF jawan while injuring another jawan and two army personnel. Two terrorists were also killed.