Srinagar, June 19: Four militants were killed in two separate gunfights in Kupwara and Kulgam districts, police said on Sunday.
“Police along with Army’s 28RR launched a joint operation today on the disclosure of an arrested militant, Showkat Ahmad Sheikh, in Forests of Chandigam Lolab area of Kupwara,” a police spokeperson said. “During the search of a hideout, the hiding (militants) started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively, leading to an encounter”.
In the initial exchange of fire, he said, one militant was killed and the arrested militant leading search party also got “trapped”.
“In the ensuing encounter, so far two Pakistani militants) of LeT were killed. Heavy exchange of fire is still going on and operation is in progress”.
Meanwhile at about 1530 hours, he said, based on specific input generated by police regarding presence of militants in DH Pora Kulgam, a joint cordon and search was launched by Police and Army’s 9RR in the area. As the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, he said, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. Later on CRPF also joined in operation, he said. “In the ongoing encounter, 02 local (militants) were killed so far”. They have been identified as Haris Sharief of Srinagar and Zakir Padder of Kulgam.
As per police records, he said, Haris was linked LeT while as Zakir Padder was linked with JeM.
“Both the killed (militants) were categorised (militants). Both were part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilians.” He said both the operations are still going on.
