2 militants killed in Sopore gun battle
injured more than a dozen security personnel in seven attacks across Jammu and Kashmir on June 13.
According to a senior intelligence source, the 13 members of the squad are not the only JeM militants trying to infiltrate Kashmir. During a press conference on Sunday, Muneer Ahmad Khan, inspector general of Kashmir police, said that JeM is taking a lead role in carrying out strikes on Indian police officers and soldiers.
The same intelligence source and a senior security official both said that the attacks are a response by JeM to recent successes of Indian security personnel. In the last month alone, Indian forces have killed two top commanders of militant groups: Abu Dujana, formerly of Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Yasin Yatoo, formerly of Hizbul Mujahideen.
“As a result of many successful encounters in 2017, JeM has decided to increase their activities in the valley,” the senior security official said.
Two local militants, including a divisional commander of militant outfit Hizbul Mujahedeen, were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Sopore on Monday, police said.
Director general of state police SP Vaid tweeted: “Today morning 2 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were killed in #Sopore in a joint operation. Well done boys!”
“Two terrorists were killed in the encounter who were later identified as Pervaiz Ahmad Wani. resident of Galoora, Handwara and divisional commander of HM and Naeem Ahmad Najar, resident of Shelpora Brad, Sopore,” a police spokesperson said.
Acting on an intelligence input, Sopore police, along with the army and the CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Check-e-Brath area of Sopore.
“During searches, hiding terrorists fired upon joint search party, resulting in an encounter,” the spokesperson added.
“Two AK rifles, three AK magazines, 90 AK rounds, One INSAS rifle, one INSAS magazine, 13 INSAS rounds and other ammunition was recovered from the encounter site,” the police statement said. Mobile internet services were reportedly snapped and educational institutions were closed down in the area as the encounter raged.
SOURCES SAID THE RECENT ATTACKS ON INDIAN FORCES ARE A RESPONSE BY JeM TO RECENT SUCCESSES OF INDIAN SECURITY PERSONNEL