On December 23, a major breakthrough occurred against the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror group. Three Khalistani terrorists, involved in a grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur, Punjab, were killed in an encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh. The operation was a joint effort between the UP Police and Punjab Police. After receiving information that the terrorists were hiding in Puranpur, police tracked them down. When police challenged the suspects, the terrorists opened fire, prompting the police to return fire. In the exchange, the terrorists were critically injured and later declared dead at the hospital. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a large number of cartridges. Two constables were injured in the operation.