Shopian: A non-local JeM militant was killed in a gunfight that broke out between militants and government forces at Kaprin village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Friday.
An official told a local news gathering agency that a joint team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched a search operation in the area.
He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.
He said during exchange of fire, one foreign militant affiliated with JeM was killed
Meanwhile, ADGP Kashmir said that the slain has been identified as Kamran Bhai alias Hanees who was active in Kulgam-Shopian area.
“One FT of JeM #terror outfit killed, identified as Kamran Bhai alias Hanees who was active in #Kulgam-#Shopian area. Search is still going on.” tweeted Kashmir Zone Police while quoting ADGP Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Police in a statement said that acting on specific information generated by police regarding the presence of militants in Kapren area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, and Army (34RR) in the said area.
To avoid any civilian casualty or injury, the joint team of forces evacuated teachers and students from nearby Madrasa to safer places, police spokesperson said, adding during the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militant fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter. Later on CRPF (178Bn) also joined in the operation.
In the ensuing encounter, 01 foreign militant identified as Kamran Bhai alias Hanees linked with JeM was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter, police spokesperson said.
As per police records, the killed militant was a categorized militant and involved in several cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities.
It is pertinent to mention here that the slain militant was active in Kulgam-Shopian area and was trying to revive the militant folds of JeM outfit by recruiting & motivating the gullible youth besides, planning to execute militant attacks, spokesperson added.
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-74, 04 Magazines were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, he said.
ADGP Kashmir congratulated the joint team of Police and security forces for conducting successful operation without any collateral damage and termed the operation as a big success as a possible threat of fidayeen and other militant attacks were thwarted by his elimination.
In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation is in progress. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any, he said. (KNO)
