2 militants killed in encounter after attack on BJP leader
J&K GUNFIGHT Those killed belonged to AlQaeda’s Kashmir wing, police said
SRINAGAR: Two militants were killed in an overnight encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar which started after they fired on security officers of a BJP leader Anwar Khan and tried to escape, officials said on Friday.
The two slain militants, identified as Rasiq Nabi Bhat, a resident of Tral and Shabir Dar, a resident of Awantipora, were members of the Ansar Ghazwat ul Hind, said Awantipora SP Mohammad Zaid.
As per police records, they had joined militancy last year in March and August respectively.
The police spokesman said that security forces cordoned a cluster of houses at Balhama in Khunmoh after getting some leads following which the hiding militants opened fire.
“During the initial firing, a CRPF personnel sustained bullet injuries and was shifted to 92 Base Hospital for treatment. He is stated to be stable,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that along with the two dead bodies of militants, some incriminating materials which include weapon and ammunition were recovered from the site.
Local reports said that the bodies of the two militants were seriously burned. They also said that at-least two houses were damaged in the encounter one of which belonged to a prominent poet of Kashmir.
Locals said that the houses were damaged due to blasts and fire.
HT tried to get a quote from SP west Gurinder Paul Singh, SSP Srinagar Imtiyaz Parray and IG Kashmir SP Pani. None of these were available for comment.
Thousands attended the funeral of Shabir Ahmad at his native Aghanizipora village in Awantipora.
Locals said that the people made a makeshift ‘boat bridge’ on the river to reach his home from the main town.