Srinagar, Oct 11 (KNS): Two militants including a PhD scholar-turned-militant, Manan Wani was killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Shahgund Qalamabad area of Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The encounter broke in the village in the wee hours of this morning after police and forces launched a joint operation in the area following the inputs about the presence of militants there.
“During the searches launched in the wee hours, the hiding militants fired on the search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. Consequently the civilians in the nearby areas were evacuated. Further following the SOP attempts to make the militants to surrender failed,” police spokesman.
In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed, police said, adding that no collateral damage has taken place in the operation.
A top police while confirming the identity of the two slain militants to KNS said that Manan Wani was possibly among the two slain militants who were in Handwara gunfight.
However, he said that the family of Manan is yet to identify the body.
The top cop further identified the second militant as Ashiq Ahmad of Handwara.
Meanwhile, police said that “incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.”
Police also said that it has registered a case in this regard and the investigation has been initiated in the instant manner.
Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was observed throughout the district following the news about the encounter spread there.
All the shops and business establishments remained closed while as the traffic was also thin on the roads, witnesses said, adding that the clashes also broke out near the gunfight site and other places in Handwara during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
They said that scores of persons were also injured during the clashes.
Meanwhile, the bodies of slain militants were handed over to their respective families.
According to KNS correspondent, Shabir Malik who was present on the occasion said that thousands have assembled to participate in the funeral prayers of slain militant Manan Wani.
People from different parts of the valley had assembled in the ground of English Medium Public School at Tikipora Lolab.
Witnesses said that the tight security arrangements were put in place to stop the people from reaching towards the ground where Manan’s funeral will be offered.
They said that the people were being restricted to reach towards Lolab to attend the funeral prayers. Witnesses said that the authorities had also restricted filling of petrol to the motor bikes and other vehicles to stop the commuters to reach Lolab.
The dead body of slain Manan was taken to Lolab in a Casper vehicle.
Manan who had joined the militant ranks on January 05 this year, was doing PhD in Geology at Aligarh Muslim University.
His father Bashir Ahmad Wani is a retired headmaster while as his one brother.
The other brother and a lone sister of Manan are student. (KNS)