2 militants, CRPF man killed in separate incidents in J&K

They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Albadar. Both the killed terrorists were involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area. POLICE SPOKESPERSON

SRINAGAR: Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Sunday morning.

A police spokesman said that based on inputs, a cordon and search operation was launched by police and security forces at dawn in Rebban area of Zainapora in Shopian district. Militants fired at the search team, who retaliated.

“In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed,” he said, adding that the bodies have been retrieved.

Police said that the two militants were locals identified as Nawaz Wagay of Zainpora and Yawar Wani of Litter Pulwama.

“They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-badar. Both the killed terrorists were involved in a series of terror attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in the area,” a police spokesperson said. No collateral damage took place during the encounter, he said.

Police have appealed to the people to not venture into the encounter zone and cooperate with the forces till the area is completely sanitised.

The encounter comes a day after two teenagers were killed by suspected militants after their abduction in the district since Thursday.

On November 6, two local militants, Mohd Idrees alias Chota Abrar and Amir Hussain Rather alias Abu Sobaan were killed in a gun battle with security forces at Safanagri Zanpora in the district. Idrees Ahmad had deserted the army and joined militant ranks.

In another incident, militants attacked a newly set up camp of the CRPF in Pulwama district of south Kashmir Sunday, killing one havaldar, officials said. The ultras opened indiscriminate fire and hurled grenades on the CRPF camp at Kakapora, killing head constable Chandrika Prasad, they said.

The camp had come up in view of the ongoing panchayat elections in the state. CRPF personnel immediately cordoned off the area, leading to an encounter with the militants.

MILITANT HIDEOUT BUSTED IN SHOPIAN

Army and police in a joint operation busted a big militant hideout in the forests of Shopian.

Officials said the hideout was meant to provide shelter to the militants in the winter months and during snowfall.

Police said the hideout was busted by a joint team of police and 23 para unit deployed in Shopian.

SSP Shopian said that the hideout was busted in Yarwan Forest area on Sunday. “A large number of items required for sustenance in winters were recovered from the hideout.”

(With inputs from PTI)