Photo-journalists among dozen injured
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Three militants including brother of an Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer were killed in a gun battle in Heff village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district today.
Three militants were killed in the gun battle that raged following the search operation that was launched in the village by security forces after they received inputs about the presence of militants hiding there.
A joint search operation was launched by the Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles, para-commandos and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the area against the militants who were hiding in the village. As the security forces started searches, militants fired upon them leading to a gun battle in which three militants were killed.
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One Army personnel also was injured in the gun battle. He was removed to hospital for treatment. Bodies of the three militants were recovered and fourth militant is believed to have fled during the gun battle. Security forces also recovered weapons and war like stores.
The killed militants have been identified as Shamsul Haq Mangoo son of Mohammad Rafi Mangoo, resident of Sugan, Shopian, Amir Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Aziz Bhat, resident of Chadipora, Shopian and Shoib Ahmad Shah son of Ghulam Rasool Shah of Sheermal, Shopian.
Shamsul Haq had left studies at Bachelors of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) at Government College here in Zakura campus. His elder brother Inamul Haq is 2012 batch IPS officer, who is posted in North East.
At least one dozen protesters and security force personnel were injured in the clashes that broke out during the encounter in the area. The clashes erupted during the encounter after youth took to the streets and pelted stones on the security forces who, in retaliation, fired tear gas and pellets to disperse them.
Four photojournalists were also injured in pellet firing when they were covering the clashes at the encounter site. They include Waseem Andrabi of Hindustan Times, Burhan Mir and Nisar Alayee.
Six security force personnel were also injured in the clashes and they were discharged after first aid.
A police spokesman said that a case has been registered and police is conducting investigation in the matter. “Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter”, he added.
“It is to mention that it was a difficult operation due to the terrain and there were clashes in the area which was handled by the security forces. Pertinently only five cases of injuries were reported and three of them were discharged after preliminary medical attention. Separately six security men injured during the clashes have been discharged after medical attention. Although this was a day long operation, the effort of security forces and cooperation of citizen did not result in any significant injuries or collateral damage”, the spokesman said.
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