5 Hizb militants killed in Shopian encounter
Srinagar: Five militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were on Sunday killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, police said.
Giving details a police spokesperson said that on a specific input, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Reban area of south Kashmir district.
During the search operation, the hiding militants opened fire at the search party of the forces, which was retaliated leading to an encounter, he said.
In the ensuing encounter, five Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter, the spokesperson said.
Two residential houses were also damaged during the encounter and reports suggested that some youth also pelted the stones to ‘distract the security forces’, sources said.
The sources, however, said, that there were no civilian injuries during the encounter.
“As per credible sources, the killed militants belonged to the proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and one among them is believed to be a top commander,” police said.
The spokesperson said in case any family claims the killed militants to be their kin, they can come forward for their identification.
Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, he said, adding all the recovered material have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other militancy cases.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday issued a statement regarding the Reban shopian encounter in which top commander among five militants were killed.
The statement said that on a specific input generated by Shopian Police, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Shopian police, 1 RR and 178 Bn CRPF in Reban area of District Shopian.
During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the joint search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, five militants were killed and their bodies have been retrieved from the site of encounter. The identification and affiliation of the killed Militants is being ascertained.
However as per credible sources the killed Militants belonged to proscribed HM Militants outfit and one among the killed Militants is believed to be a top commander.
In this connection a case under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Zainapora and investigation has been initiated, the statement said.
