18 terrorists eliminated in past 21 days: Indian Army

On Feb 14, a terror attack in Pulwama area of Kashmir had killed 40 Indian paramilitary forces personnel.

"In last 21 days, we have been getting after the JeM and have eliminated 18 terrorists so far," Dhillon told media persons.

"Our main emphasis was elimination of the JEM leadership. We have been successful so far," he said. 

"Operation against foreign terrorists and JEM leadership will continue till we eliminate all of them," he said. 

Two militants, including a commander, reportedly mastermind of fidayeen attack on CRPF convoy in which over 40 personnel were martyred, were killed by security forces in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO), official sources on Monday said.

The operation has ended and only two bodies of militants were recovered, sources said.

However, defence ministry spokesman late on Sunday night said three militants were killed in the encounter.

Sources said troops of Rashitriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation in village Pinglish, Tral, in Pulwama district of south Kashmir early on Sunday, during which the encounter ensued after militants attacked security forces.

Later, late in the night, security forces blasted the house from where the militants were firing, they said, adding that later, two bodies of militants besides arms and ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered.

Searches in the area continued till wee hours of Monday, they said, adding the operation has now ended.

One of the two militant killed in the encounter was identified as Mudasir Ahmad Khan, JeM commander. They said Khan was reportedly mastermind of fidayeen attack on CRPF at Awantipora in Pulwama on February 14 in which 44 personnel were killed and scores injured.

The case was handed over to National Investigation Agency (NIA) and several persons were arrested.