Shopian, Jun 11: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir Tuesday, police said.
Reports said a joint team of Army’s 1 RR, SOG of police and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Awneera area of Shopian in early hours after receiving information about presence of militants there, a police spokesman said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire towards security forces.
Two militants were killed in the “retaliatory firing” by the security forces. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the scene of the encounter, he said.
The spokesman identified the slain duo as Sayar Ahmad Bhat, son of Sanauallah Bhat of Yaripora Kulgam, and Shakir Ahmad Wagay of Awneera Shopian. Both the slain, it said, were affiliated with Ansar Gazwatul Hind (AGH) militant outfit and were wanted by law in several cases.
According to the police records, they were part of groups involved in planning and executing attacks in the area and many other “civilian atrocities”.
Shakir Wagay, according to police records was involved in the killing of civilian Irfan Hameed Sheikh of Zainapora.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter, police said, adding all these materials have been taken in the case records for the purpose of investigation and to probe their complicity in other cases.
Police spokesman also requested people to cooperate with police “till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any”.
A police official said that according to police records the slain Shakir had joined militant ranks in January 2019 and while Sayar had joined militant ranks in March 2019 and was category “C” militant.
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has also officially claimed that the two militants killed in Shopian early morning today belonged to their group.
The militant organisation made the announcement through its official handles on various social media platforms. Official IS claim has been released under the title of Wilayah Hind.
In the wake of gunfight in Shoipan district, mobile Internet service was suspended and a complete shutdown was observed in the main town and adjacent areas.
Encounter on in Sopore
Srinagar, Jun 11: A gunfight between militants and government forces is underway in Sopore village of Baramulla district.
According to reports, a joint team of Army’s 22 RR, CRPF and SOG of police cordoned off Wadoora area of Sopore today morning.
After a day-long siege, the joint team intensified searches and fired some gunshots towards the suspected spot, they said, adding that the hiding militants also opened fire leading to an encounter.
Sopore police chief Javeed Iqbal said that after warning shots, the contact has been established with the hiding militants.
When reports last came in, the firefight was going on.
Meanwhile, authorities have suspended Internet services in the area.
In the meantime, some reports suggested that two militants have been killed so far in the ongoing encounter. However, the reports were not confirmed officially.
