All slain local militants, says Army; if identified families can participate in last rites: Police
Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, June 08: Four militants were killed in a four-hour-long encounter that broke between militants and the security forces in Pinjura village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday while as three soldiers were also injured in exchange of fire.
An official told KNO that four militants have been killed while as three soldiers were injured in an exchange of fire.
He said that four bodies were recovered who identification is being ascertained while is search operation was on in the area.
Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.
He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated triggering an encounter.
Pertinently five, militants including a top Hizb commander were killed in an encounter at Reban Shopian on Sunday.
Pertinently after Sunday’s gunfight internet services were snapped in Shopian and Kulgam districts of South Kashmir. General officer Commanding (GoC) Victor Force Major General A Sengupta said that all four militants killed in Pinjoora area of Shopian were locals. “The encounter lasted for four hours,” he said.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued here said that the identification of slain militants was on. “However, as per credible sources, the slain militants were affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. All bodies sent to Baramulla for last rites and if identified, their families can participate in funeral and last rites as per religious practices,” the statement added.
It further said that people are requested to cooperate with the police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the possible left over explosive materials, if any. (KNO)
