Srinagar: Two local militants were killed in an overnight encounter in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Sunday, a police spokesman said. Another local militant surrendered, he said.
The gunfight started last evening when police and 44 Rashtriya Riffles launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Barbugh area of Shopian.
During searches, he said, militants hiding in the area fired upon the search party. “Two (militants) were gunned down in this encounter who were identified as Altaf Ahmad Rather son of Mohammad Maqbool of Awneera Zainapora, Shopian and Tariq Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Ibrahim of Barbugh.”
Another militant identified as Adil Hussain Dar son of Nazir Ahmad Dar of Chitripora Shopian, surrendered. Arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site.
The spokesman claimed that the slain militants were involved in attack on SPO, Khurshed Ahmad Ganaie at Bazar Imam Shahab in which case (FIR: 138/17 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 IA Act, 16 UL) stands registered.
Tariq Ahmad, the spokesman said, was also involved in attack on force convoy at Chakoora Shopian, (case FIR number 194/17 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 IA, 16 UL act) stands registered.
“He was involved in attack on sub inspector Gowhar Ahmad Malla at Barbugh Haripora (in which case FIR number 230/17 under section 307, 326 RPC, 7/27IA Act 16 UL act) already stands registered.”
The police also claimed involvement of Tariq in Bank robbery at Turq Wangam in which a case (FIR number 6/17 under section 451, 392, 307, 34 RPC, 16, 38 UL Act, 7/27 IA Act) already stands registered.