Third firefight in Shopian, Police says 3 militants trapped
Srinagar: Two militants were killed in separate gunfights in Bandipora and Anantnag districts of Kashmir Valley on Monday, police said.
Meanwhile, another encounter started between militants and government forces in Tulran area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
“In the wee hours, based on specific input about presence of militants in village Gund Jahangir area of Bandipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, army’s 13RR and 47Bn CRPF,” a police spokesman said in a statement to GNS.
During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given opportunity to surrender. However, the spokesman said, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.
“In the ensuing encounter, one (militant) identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar affiliated with outfit LeT (TRF) was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter,” the spokesman claimed.
“It is pertinent to mention that (he) was the main accused in killing of a civilian Mohammad Shafi alias Sonu at Shahgund,” he said, adding, “He joined militant folds after the Police unearthed the module involved in planning and executing the killing and the other involved (militant) associates have already been arrested.”
Meanwhile, the spokesman said, a party from Anantnag Police had gone to arrest one militant associate namely Javid Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad Bhat of Khahgund Dooru.
“While the police party were laying cordon around the house, the hiding (militants) fired indiscriminately upon the police party which was retaliated,” he said, adding, “In this chance encounter, one police personnel was injured while as one unidentified (militant) was also killed.”
The injured police personnel has been evacuated to hospital for treatment where his condition is stated to be stable, he said.
The identification and affiliation of killed militant is being ascertained, the spokesman said.
“IGP Kashmir has congratulated joint teams of Police and security forces for conducting successful operations especially to Bandipora Police for conducting operation which resulted in elimination of the (militant) involved in recent Shahgund civilian killing.”
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from both the encounter sites, the spokesman said.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” the spokesman said, adding, “Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law and investigations have been initiated.”
Meanwhile, an encounter has started between militants and government forces in Tulran area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Reports said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 34RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Tulran.
As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.
A senior police officer also confirmed exchange of firing between militants and security forces. As per police, three militants are trapped and appeals of surrender were made to them. (GNS)
