Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 27: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in Tangmarg area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district today while a militant and an Army jawan were killed in an ongoing operation in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district.
Police said that on a specific information about the presence of militants in village Khonchipora Tangmarg, Baramulla Police, 2-RR and 176-battalion of CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the search operation. “The hiding militants were asked to surrender which they refused and instead fired upon the joint search party, ensuing an encounter”, Police said.
The Police spokesman said that during the encounter two Hizbul Mujahideen militants identified as Mehraj Ahmad Bhat resident of Andargam Pattan and Aadil Ahmad resident of Brath Sopore were killed. “They were wanted in many subversive activities. Two AK series rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered at the encounter site”, he said.
Police said that after conducting all necessary formalities the bodies of both the militants were later handed over to their respective families for last rites.
Meanwhile, in an encounter at Toot Mari Gali (TMG) in Nowgam Sector of Handwara, a militant and a soldier were killed today. Three militants were killed in the gunfight with Army’s 18 JAT, 1-NAGA and para troopers yesterday.
An Army spokesman said that in two different operations over last two days the security forces gunned down six militants in the Valley.
“Two HM terrorists were gunned down in a swift counter terrorist operation conducted by security forces today at Khonchipora village, near Tangmarg area of Baramulla district. While in another major success of Army, four unidentified terrorists were eliminated in the forward area of Nowgam sector foiling an infiltration bid”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said: “Based on information about the presence of terrorists in Khonchipora village, near Tangmarg, a joint operation was launched by the Army and JKP last night. As the security forces closed in, the terrorists hiding in the buildup area opened fire following which a gun battle ensued which continued intermittently resulting in elimination of two terrorists, identified as Mehrajudin Bhatt son of Gulam Mohd Bhatt of Pattan, active in the Kunzar area of Baramulla. He was BSc BEd and joined Hizb outfit in year 2014. The other slain terrorist has been identified as Adil Ahmed Mir from Barat village, near Sopore. After being surrounded, several appeals and announcements were made by prominent citizens asking the terrorists to surrender but they responded every time with intense fire on the security forces.
The spokesman said: The terrorists were involved in many acts of terror. One AK 47 rifle, one pistol with ammunition and other war like stores were recovered so far. The search operation was still in progress at time of filing this report.
The Army spokesman said that in another successful operation an infiltration bid was foiled when militants attempting infiltration were engaged in the forward area of Nowgam Sector yesterday. “Four heavily armed terrorists were eliminated by the alert troops operating in the area. Bodies of these terrorists were recovered from the site along with four AK 47 rifles, ammunition and other warlike stores”, he said.
The spokesman while giving details of the gun battle said that the troops deployed in the forward area of Nowgam sector observed the movement of a group of militants on the early yesterday. “The counter infiltration grid was reinforced while the terrorists were kept under constant surveillance till they could be effectively engaged. Braving all odds of extremely harsh weather and difficult terrain, the Army troops successfully eliminated four terrorists and foiled the infiltration bid”, he said.
“A Non Commissioned Officer of Rashtriya Rifles, Hangpan Dada, who led his team and brought effective fire on the terrorists got profusely injured while fighting with indomitable courage during the gun fight. After personally ensuring elimination of three terrorists, while being evacuated to base hospital, the brave heart succumbed to his injuries and made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Search of the area was undertaken today morning and four dead bodies along with four AK-47, ammunition and other warlike stores were recovered. Identity of the terrorists is yet to be ascertained”, the spokesman said.
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