Aatif Qayoom
Shopian, Oct 07 (KNS): Three local militants were killed in an overnight encounter in Sugan area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday taking the toll of killed militants this year to 184.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), three militants have been killed in an overnight encounter that broke out between militants and governments forces yesterday in Sugan village of Shopian after forces received credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area. However due to darkness, the anti-militancy operation was halted on Tuesday evening which was resumed on Wednesday wee hours.
An official said that joint team of army’s 44 RR, CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) in the area following the presence of militants in the area.
Soon after the joint search party, according to official, surrounded the suspected spot militants hiding in the area fired upon indiscriminately which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
He added during the encounter three militants were killed with the culmination of encounter in the area who were identified as Sajad Ahmad Malla of Shopian, Junaid Rashid of Tumlahal Pulwama and Mehraj-ud-Din of Arigam Pulwama.
A police officer told KNS that two among the slain militants were associated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen while another was part of Al-Badr.
He said during exchange of fire, militants were given multiple chances to surrender which they refused and were killed in a retaliatory fire.
Soon after the encounter ended, several youth took to streets and pelted stones upon forces personnel who fired several tear smoke canister to disperse them.
However an eye witness told KNS that six youth sustained pellet injuries during clashes with forces. “All injured have been moved to nearby medical facilities for medical attention”, an eye witness told.
However as per local reports at least three pellet injured youth have been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for specialized treatment.
Authorities also snapped 2G mobile internet connectivity in the area as a “precautionary measure” to maintain law and order.
Earlier on September 27, two militants were killed in an encounter with government forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. Also on September 25, two LeT militants were killed after a night-long gun battle in Sirhama village of Bijbehara who were identified as Adil Ahamd Bhat of Pulwama and Abu Rehan alias Touheed, a Pakistani national.
Similarly on September 22, a militant was also killed in an encounter with government forces in an overnight gunfight in central Kashmir. The slain militant was later on identified as Asif Shah resident of Samboora Pulwama who was part of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM).
On September 17, three Hizb militants were killed in an exchange of fire with forces in Batamaloo area of Srinagar district. During the encounter a woman was also caught up in exchange of fire and died later on.
A senior police official told KNS that during anti-militancy operation in valley, security forces killed around 184 militants this year.
“During anti-militancy operations, 184 militants were killed this year in valley”, official said. (KNS)