Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 19: Two militants, both believed to be foreigners, were killed and two security personnel injured in an encounter that broke out today in the Sopore area of Baramulla district.
Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Watergam area of Baramulla in the morning on information about the presence of militants there.
The officials said the search operation turned into an encounter when the militants opened fire at the security personnel.
A senior police official said two militants were killed in the exchange of fire and their bodies were retrieved from the spot.
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The identity and affiliation of the slain ultras are being ascertained. However, an official identified them as IED expert Usman and his associate Umar.
The officer added that a cop and a soldier were injured in the gunfight.
This is the second encounter in North Kashmir this week. Earlier on Monday, a local Lashkar-e-Toiba militant who was active since April 2018 was killed in an operation in Aragam area of Bandipora district.
“Intelligence inputs regarding the move of suspected terrorists in Aragam, Bandipora have been received over the last two months,” Army said.
“The security forces have been continuously monitoring this activity with a mix of technological and human surveillance. Based on certain specific intelligence inputs, on 16 June 2024, a joint operation was launched by the Army, JK Police & CRPF,” he said.
“An ambush party of the Army observed suspicious movement during the night in a Nallah (Nar) above the Aragam village and after clear and unambiguous confirmation of the presence of terrorists, the ambush brought down effective fire and in the ensuing firefight one hardcore terrorist Umar Lone, S/o Md Akbar Lone, R/o Wussankhui, Pattan was neutralised,” the Army said, adding that Umar Lone was a Category A terrorist, active since April 2018 and was associated with LeT/ TRF.
“He was involved in numerous terrorist related activities such as recruitment, illegal killings and expansion of the OGW network”.
“His elimination is a significant achievement for the security forces. Over the last few weeks, the Army along with other police and paramilitary forces have maintained a high and intense operational momentum which has resulted in tremendous success and eroded the terror ecosystem in a systematic manner,” he said.
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