Shopian: The earlier reports that two militants were killed in Saturday evening Shopian encounter were refuted by locals today saying one of two bodies recovered from the site of a gunfight on Sunday has been identified as that of a civilian, Shahid Ahmad Mir of Gagran village.
Local and police sources confirmed that Shahid Ahmad Mir, son of Mansoor Ahmad of Gagran was among the slain.
Mir’s body was handed over to his family at DPL Shopian, sources said.
His body was recovered from the gunfight site today morning during searches which continued throughout the night following a brief gunfight last evening.
Another body recovered last night was identified as that of militant, Irfan Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bandzoo Pulwama.
The gunfight broke out last evening after a joint team of army and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation in Khudpora village.
Meanwhile, J&K Police in a statement issued here today said that Police and security forces in Khudpora area of District Shopian, launched a cordon and search operation yesterday evening based on credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
“As the search operation was going on, hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“Meanwhile, following the SOP, civilians from the nearby area were evacuated to safer places.
“In the ensuing encounter, hiding militants fired on security forces. Consequently post encounter during the search two dead bodies were recovered from the site of encounter. The killed militant has been identified as Mohd Irfan Bhat of Pulwama who was associated with HM outfit since June 2017,” police statement said.
“The other one was identified as Shahid Mir who as per the police records was part of case FIR 201/2004 under section 7/25 Arms Act of police station Shopian for militancy related incident.
“A couple of militants managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen at the site.
“Moreover, the house where the encounter took place is intact albiet a hideout was found inside the house where militants were hiding.
“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter,” added the statement.
Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the instant matter for ascertaining the facts pertaining to militants hiding in the said house and other related matters to this incident.
