Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 3: A militant was killed in a gun battle with security forces in Sopore area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district this morning while a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer was critically injured in a militant attack in South Kashmir’s Pulwama town this afternoon.
Police said that a militant was killed at Hartaar village of North Kashmir’s Sopore area in a gun battle early morning during an ambush.
Security forces including 52-Rashtriya Rifles of army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police laid an ambush at Haritar area of Sopore in the wee hours today after specific inputs about militant movement in the area.
The militant walked into ambush and security forces fired at him leading to a gun battle in which he was killed. He has been identified as Abu Umar Khitab of Pakistan.
The militant was affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and was active for last 4 years. He was believed to part of the militant group, which escaped from the security forces cordon several times last month in Hajjan area of North Kashmir.
Sources said that the militant was operating in Sopore, Hajin, Gunde Jehanghir and Shah Gund areas of North Kashmir and security forces were tracking his movement for long.
They said one AK 47 rifle, one hand grenade, three magazines, 70 AK ammunition rounds, one I-com set, one compass, one bag and one torch was recovered from his possession.
Meanwhile, a CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) was injured after militants fired at him in Murran Chowk Pulwama this afternoon. The ASI identified as BN Thakur was hit by a bullet in his back and was shifted to army hospital for treatment. His condition was stated to be out of danger.
The firing caused panic in the township and senior police and CRPF officers reached the spot immediately. The area was cordoned off and searches were conducted in the area but the militants managed to flee after carrying out the attack.
In the meantime, a search operation was launched by security forces in Kuta Satri forest area of Bandipora district following an input about the presence of militants. The operation was, however, later called off due to heavy snowfall.
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