Srinagar, Jan 22 (KNS): Three militants were killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Heff village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Police confirmed to KNS that three militants were killed in the gunfight that raged following the search operation was launched in the village after receiving inputs about the presence of militants there.
A joint search operation was launched in the area after police and government forces jointly launched a search operation in the village, police said, adding that the hiding militants fired upon the search party which was retaliated, ensuing an encounter that left three militants dead.
The clashes also broke out during the encounter after youth took to the streets and pelted forces with stones who in retaliation used tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Meanwhile, the former Director General of Police (DGP) in a tweet also said that Shamul Haq, brother of IPS officer was one among the three militants killed in the gunfight, saying that IPS officer, his family JK Police made efforts to bring Haq back to mainstream but he met a sad end today.
“Shamsul Haq, brother of IPS officer who had joined militant ranks was among the 3 terrorists killed today in Shopian. I remember the efforts that were made by his brother /other family members and J&K Police to bring him back to mainstream but he met a sad end today,” Vaid tweeted.
However, the identification of the slain militants was not officially confirmed when the report was last filed.
Meanwhile, four photojournalists were also injured after the forces allegedly fired pellets upon them when they were covering the clashes and encounter in the area.
The media associations, various politicians and trade bodies have condemned the ‘use of indiscriminate force’ against the photojournalists and demanded action in this regard. (KNS)