Militant, 'active associate' killed in encounter in Shopian
Pulwama: A militant and his "active associate" were killed in a shootout with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Monday.
A police spokesperson said that security forces at a checkpoint on Shopian-Turkewagam road near Moolu Chitragam village intercepted a tavera vehicle on Sunday night.
Those boarding the vehicles opened fire on forces which was retaliated triggering a brief exchange of fire, he said.
"In the exchange of fire one militant identified as Firdous Ahmad Bhat and an active associate identified as Sajad Ahmad, who was driving the vehicle, were killed,” said the police spokesperson.
Locals of the Sajad Ahmad's village said that Sajad was a civilian and was last seen in the village on Sunday evening near his residence.
The spokesperson further said that one of the militants traveling in the vehicle then managed to escape from the spot by taking advantage of the darkness.
He said that Firdous was a listed militant.
Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the site of the encounter, the spokesperson said, adding that all the material have been taken in the case records for the purpose of investigation and to probe their complicity in other militancy cases.
In the wake of killing of the duo internet service were suspended in the Kulgam district.
According to an eyewitness few militants appeared in the funeral prayers of Firdous Ahmad and offered gun salute to him.
