Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 26: Two local militants of Al-Badr were killed today in 19-hour long gun battle in Kanigam area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched an operation yesterday afternoon in the area on specific information about the presence of militants.
He said that as the joint team of security forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
“During initial exchange of fire, militants managed to hide in residential houses and on Friday evening, they tried to break the cordon and fired indiscriminately resulting in injuries to two soldiers,” he said, adding that after initial exchange of fire, when it was found that the trapped militants are locals, they were repeatedly asked to surrender by Police.
“However, they turned down repeated surrender offers and fired at forces again this morning, which was retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight duo were killed,” he said.
The two militants were identified as Owais Farooq son of Farooq Ahmad Allaie, resident of Kadlabal Chersoo Awantipora who was missing since August 8 this year and Aasif Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Mohammed Lone resident of Turkawangam Shopian who was missing from last week of June this year. Two soldiers were injured in the initial exchange of firing, who were removed to army hospital and are out of danger.
The operation was suspended on Friday evening and the whole area was put under strict cordon and lights were installed to prevent militants from fleeing.
As per police records, both the killed militants were part of the group involved in several activities including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.
“Besides, several terror crime cases were registered against Asif Lone including case FIR No. 98/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to attack on Army Naka party at Trenz Shopian on 07/12/2020 & FIR No. 153/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to pasting of posters whereby general public was threatened to keep away from recently concluded DDC elections,” the police said.
“The last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting their medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites,” the police said.
“In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation initiated”, police added.
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