Srinagar, Oct 12 (KNS): Five militants were killed in twin encounters in south Kashmir's Shopian district over the last 24 hours including a militant who was involved in the target killing of a non-local street vendor in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar, police said here on Tuesday. 

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson said that during the past 24 hours, based on specific inputs about the presence of militants in twin villages of Shopian viz, Tulran and Feeripora two anti-militancy operations were carried out resulting in elimination of five militants. "The killed militants include Mukhtar Shah, who was involved in the target killing of non-local vendor at Lal Bazar area of Srinagar."

The statement reads that acting on specific inputs provided by Police about the presence of militants in villages Tulran and Feeripora of Shopian, Police along with 34RR and CRPF launched joint cordon and search operations yesterday.

"During the search operation at Tulran, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given repeated opportunities to surrender, instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. However, due to darkness the operation was suspended, while the cordon was kept intact. In the wee hours, repeated announcements were again made to the hiding militants to surrender, but they again fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated." 

It reads that in the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed, and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. "They have been identified as Danish Hussain Dar resident of Ray Kapren Shopian, Yawar Hussain Naikoo resident of Pahlipora and Mukhtar Ahmed Shah resident of Sindbal, Ganderbal. As per police records, they were linked with LeT (TRF) and remained part of groups involved in several crime cases including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities. It is pertinent to mention that Mukhtar Shah was involved in target killing of a non-local vendor in Lal Bazar area of Srinagar and shifted to Shopian after committing the crime."

As per the statement, meanwhile, search operation at Feeripora Shopian also remained suspended throughout the night and resumed in the wee hours. "At about 1000hrs, contact was established with the hiding militants, and they were given ample opportunities to surrender. However, they started firing indiscriminately at the search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter."

"In ensuing encounter, two militants were killed, and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Ubaid Ahmad Dar resident of Ray Kapren and Khubaib Ahmad Nengroo resident of Braripora. As per police records, both they were linked with LeT and were involved in several crime cases."

Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint teams for working with great synergy and coordination on the ground for carrying out anti-militancy operations in professional manner without collateral damage. 

It is pertinent to mention that 02 cases out of 04 recent militancy cases of target killings in Srinagar and Bandipora have been solved by the elimination of the involved militants. (KNS)