Cop killed, 5 forces’ personnel injured in Batmaloo shootout
Two militant accomplices arrested: Police
A relative of the killed cop breaks down during the wreath laying ceremony. Photo/Javed Khan
Srinagar, Aug 12: A cop was killed and four others, including two policemen and three paramilitary CRPF personnel, were injured in an encounter with the militants in Batamaloo area of Srinagar city on Sunday, police said, adding that two militants accomplices were arrested during the shootout.
Government forces launched a cordon and search operation at Diyarwani in Batamaloo area of the city in the pre-dawn hours this morning following specific information about the presence of militants in the area, Additional Director General of Police (Security and Law and Order) Munir Khan told reporters.
He said while the house, where the militants were hiding, was zeroed in, the militants opened fire on the forces which was retaliated, ensuing an encounter.
“A group of five militants were there… They lobbed a grenade and opened firing and then escaped taking cover of darkness. The area is very congested and forces exercised restraint so that there is no collateral damage as the houses there are situated roof-to-roof,” the PTI quoted ADGP Khan as saying.
He said a Selection Grade constable, Parvaiz Ahmad, was killed and two policemen and three CRPF personnel received injuries in the initial bout of firing by the militants.
“The security forces retaliated and it has been learnt that two militants have been injured, but they managed to flee. Two other militants were arrested and their questioning is on,” Khan said.
The ADGP said the “arrested militants have revealed many things”, which he said cannot be divulged right now as the operation would continue further.
Earlier, a police spokesman had said, “two accomplices” of the militants have been detained, while incriminating material was recovered from the site of encounter.
The spokesman said a massive search operation is underway in the area.
He said police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated in the matter.
Meanwhile, a wreath laying ceremony was held at DPL Srinagar where senior officers from civil administration, police and other government forces paid rich tributes to Ahmad, a resident of Dandote village in Rajouri district, the spokesman said.
An official said that owner of the house where militants were allegedly hiding — Neyaz Ahmad Bhat– also received injuries during the gunfight. He was shifted to SMHS Hospital where his condition is said to be stable, he said.
Mobile Internet services suspended, restored in Srinagar
Srinagar, Aug 12: Mobile Internet services were temporarily suspended in Srinagar today in the wake of an anti-militancy operation in Batamaloo area of the city, police said.
The Internet on mobile devices was suspended in the early hours of the morning after an encounter broke out between government forces and militants in Deyarwani area of Batamaloo in the pre-dawn hours, a police official said.
He said the service was barred as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and to stop “rumour mongering”.
The official said the mobile internet was then restored in the afternoon after the gunfight ended.
