Militant killed in encounter in Shopian, another held in Kulgam
Encounter underway in Sopore
Srinagar: A local militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Friday, while another was arrested from Kulgam district, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Ganovpora village of the district following information about the presence of militants there, a police spokesman said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated.
The official said one militant was killed in the exchange of fire, while an AK rifle and some other incriminating material were recovered from the encounter site, he said.
Police spokesman identified slain militant as Aitmad Ahmad Dar, resident of Awend Shopian, affiliated with proscribed Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.
As per police records, the killed militant was active since March 26, 2021 and was involved in several militancy cases, spokesman said.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any,” spokesman said.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a militant was arrested by the police and security forces in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, officials said on Friday.
In a statement, a police spokesman said that during the preceding night, acting on a specific information about presence of militants in Frisal area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by police, 1RR and CRPF in the area.
During the search, an active categorized militant Zakir Bhat of proscribed outfit Hizbul Mujahideen was arrested.
“Investigations reveal that Zakir Bhat is basically a resident of Kulgam district and living in Shopian since last eight years. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have also been recovered from his possession. In this regard, a case has been registered and further investigation is in progress,” the statement said.
Later in the day, another encounter started in Warpora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where security forces tightened the cordon and installed lights to ensure that the holed up militants don’t escape.
An official said that the exact number of hiding militants is not known while the exchange of fire from either side is going on while security forces have rushed in reinforcements to the area.
Kashmir zone police in a tweet also said that encounter has started at Warpora area of Sopore. “Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” it said.
