Militant eliminated in Shopian encounter

SRINAGAR: A terrorist, who had joined militancy 10 days ago, was killed in an encounter at Rakhama village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said.

Police and the army’s Rashtriya Rifles launched a joint operation in Shopian late last night resulting in an encounter in which the terrorist was killed.

Defence spokesperson Imron Musavi said that on receiving specific intelligence from Jammu and Kashmir Police about the presence of a terrorist in the vicinity of Rakhama village, a joint operation was launched by forces and the cordon was established by 2am.

“One terrorist was located. Multiple appeals were made to him for surrender but he opened fire on the troops and was finally neutralised by the security forces in the ensuing firefight.”

He said as per the police, the terrorist has been identified as Mujeeb Amin Lone of Redwani in Kulgam district.

“He had joined ranks in early September 21 and was responsible for creating terror in the locality, He had been coercing innocent citizens to sympathise with the anti-nationals,” he added.

In the last nine days, eight militants were killed in different operations in Kashmir and a Pakistani militant was captured alive near the Line of Control in Uri Sector.

Meanwhile, security forces on Friday arrested three overground workers of Lashkar-etaiba outfit from Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The arrested persons were identified as Abid Mushtaq, Aadil Jamal Bhat and Danish Rasool Bhat, all residents of Tral area in Pulwama district, an official said.

14-year-old boy from POJK nabbed in Poonch JAMMU: The army on Friday nabbed a 14-year-old boy from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), who had crossed the LOC in Balnoi area of Poonch district. He was identified as Ali Yadar, son of Mohammad Sharif of Malla Baspora in Kotli district of POJK.

Official sources said that the boy seemed to be case of inadvertent crossing and was likely to be repatriated in a day or two.

With inputs from PTI