3 militants killed, one surrenders

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 6: Three newly recruited militants of Al-Badr were killed in an encounter in Shopian district of South Kashmir today while another surrendered before the security forces.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that these militants were killed in Kanigam village in Imam Sahib area of Shopian.
He said that due to the efforts of police, security forces and family members, one militant surrendered. However, three others turned down all the repeated surrender offers.
Earlier Police, Army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched an operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter in which three militants were killed.
The fourth militant who surrendered before the security forces had left home just few hours before he got trapped in the encounter while as two among the slain had joined militancy just three to four days ago only.
Police said that during the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender. Family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender.
“Due to the great efforts and utmost patience of police, security forces and repeated surrender appeals with the help of their family members, one of the trapped militant Tausif Ahmad ultimately surrendered and laid down his arms before the joint team of security forces. The surrendered militant later also appealed to his trapped companions to surrender, however, they turned down the surrender offers and fired indiscriminately at joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” Police said.
The killed militants have been identified as Danish Mir and Mohammad Umer Bhat, both residents of Khajapora Shopian and Zaid Bashir Reshi, resident of Raben Shopian.
The IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint team of police and security forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a misguided youth.
Kumar appealed to all misguided youth who have joined militant ranks to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents. “We will welcome and accept them with open arms,” he said.
Police recovered four pistols and five grenades from the encounter site.