Hizb div comdr among 2 killed in Kupwara, rifle snatched from BJP leader’s guard

Army soldiers returning from encounter site at Nagri in Kupwara on Tuesday. — Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Army soldiers returning from encounter site at Nagri in Kupwara on Tuesday. — Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

*Watch live video of encounter on Excelsior Youtube channel
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 28: A divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and a foreigner militant were killed in two separate encounters in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district today while Army launched massive operation against a group of infiltrating militants in Nowgam and Kalaroos sectors of Kupwara.
Army’s 47 RR, Special Operations Group of Srinagar and SOG Kupwara last night cordoned off Nagri village near Drugmulla in the frontier district following specific information about presence of militants inside a house of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din.
The militants opened fire on the troops during the operation leading to a gun battle during which one militant was killed. An AK-47 rifle and other war like stores were recovered from his possession.
The militant has been identified as Sameer alias Jan, and he was said to be the divisional commander for North Kashmir of Hizbul Mujahideen. His body was handed over to his relatives at Dooru in Sopore.
Protests broke out at Shiva, Dooru and its adjoining areas soon after the news about the killing of the HM militant Sameer Wani spread in the area.
A police vehicle bearing registration numberJK-15-4530 was stopped by mob and set it on fire at Shiva area of Sopore.
Clashes also broke out at Nagri, Kawardi and its adjacent areas in Kupwara district. Police fired teargas shells and several gunshots in air to chase the protesters. In the intermittent clashes at least five protesters and 10 cops were injured in Nagri, Natnussa, Kawardi and in parts of Sopore.
A defence spokesman said here that one militant of HM outfit was eliminated in a swift encounter, in Nagri village, near Natnussa of Kupwara today.
“Based on specific intelligence about the presence of a terrorist in the Nagri village, near Natnussa, district Kupwara, a joint operation was launched by the Army and JKP in the morning hours today. As the operation progressed and the suspected house was cordoned, security forces made number of attempts to convince the terrorist to surrender by making announcement through mega phones at the encounter site but the terrorist resorted to firing following which a gun battle ensued which continued intermittently till 0900 hrs resulting in elimination of a terrorist. The terrorist has been identified as Sameer Ahmad Wani S/o Samander Ahmad Wani R/o Sopore, who joined the HM outfit in Year 2014 and was involved in many terrorist related incidents in Sopore area. One Chinese pistol, ammunition and other war like stores were recovered from the terrorist”, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile one more militant was killed in Varnow Lolab in the frontier district of Kupwara this evening. Police and Army’s 18 RR launched an operation in the area after specific input about presence of a militant in the area. The militant was challenged and he opened fire on troops leading to a gun battle in which he was killed.
In the meantime, a massive operation has been launched in Sarsari-Patni area of Jatty post near Line of Control (LoC) in Nowgam sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district this morning after Army noticed movement of an infiltrated militant group.
Sources said that 35 RR, 18 JAT and 1/4 GR, cordoned off the Sarsari area of Jatty post near LoC following specific information about the presence of 3-4 infiltrators. The operation was on when the reports last reached in.
In another operation conducted by 36 RR and Jammu and Kashmir Police in general area of Hanti in Macchil area of Kupwara a militant hideout was busted. One AK 47 rifle, one pistol, one pistol magazine, 11 pistol rounds, four hand grenades, two radio sets, six pencil cells, one binocular, one  solar charging plate, 500 grammes of White Crystalline Powder , Rs 4530 Pak currency and Rs one lakh Indian currency were recovered.
Army’s 41 RR and Police have intercepted a group of infiltrating militants tonight at Sarkoli Kalaroos in Kupwara. The infiltrating militants were challenged and they opened fire on troops leading to a gun battle.
Militants this morning barged into the guardroom of BJP leader and decamped with a service rifle of his Personal Security Officer (PSO) at Panzan area of Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Militants believed to be 5 to 6 in number overpowered a security guard, constable Bashir Ahmad Hanjura (belt no: 283/security) and snatched the AK-56 rifle along with two magazines and some rounds from his possession while he was performing duty at the residence of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Ghulam Mohammad Chopan at Gori Mohalla at Panzan in Chadoora.
The BJP leader was inside his home at the time of incident which occurred at around 9:25 am. Chopan had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Assembly elections from Chrar-i-Sharief constituency.
The gunmen after snatching the service rifle from the security guard managed to flee from the spot. Senior police and security forces officers reached the spot to assess the situation.

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