Shopian: Army on Thursday said militants killed in Shopian encounter used women as human shield while trying to escape from the cordon.
At least two militants were killed in an encounter with government forces in Dairoo’s Chaigund area in Shopian district on Wednesday. A local teenager, Shakir Ahmad, was also killed and two women sustained grave injuries amid clashes in the area.
Addressing a press conference at Balpura, Shopian, Commander 12RR Brigadier Harbir Singh said army received continuous inputs for the last few days that some militants were planning to carry out attacks ahead of the January 26.
“We were closely tracking the militant group for five to six days and on Wednesday around 5 pm we received specific input about the presence of militants in a house at Ooda,” Singh said. “We immediately cordoned the area and asked civilians to vacate the house.”
The Brigadier said some eight to ten women came out from the house wearing burka. “While these women reached nearby, we suspected two militants, clad in burka, among them,” he said. “They (militants) tried to escape under the garb of cloak. They were using women as human shields.”
As army challenged the militants, they opened fire, Singh said. “Our party retaliated fire in air to disperse the women and in the meantime, both militants ran away towards a cowshed ensuing intense gunfight which continued for an hour.”
“The encounter ended with killing of both militants, the Commander said. “One of the militants has been identified as Firdous Lone resident of Ganawpora who became active in September 2016 and another was a local who joined militancy in September last year.”
Terming the killing of militants as big victory, Harbir said there was a possibility that gunmen were about to carry a Fidayeen attack.
He said this is the first time that militants were seen trying to escape while wearing burka. “We tried our best to ensure that no civilian is injured but unfortunately in such circumstances, we failed to do so,” the Brigadier said.
