KUPWARA: At least five persons including two militants have been killed during a nightlong encounter at Zoonareshi area of Kupwara, Police said Tuesday. The encounter site is located closer to the Line of Control.
Police said the government forces had launched an operation against the militants, believed to be hiding in the village, and in the subsequent gunfight two foreign militants were killed. Two personnel from the dreaded Special Operations Group and an army man were also killed in the encounter. Police has refuted the reports of a civilian death in the encounter.
Sharing details of the encounter the police sources said Army, Special Operation Group and CRPF personnel jointly launched a combing operation in Zoonareshi forests of Chowkibal Kupwara late Monday evening
After a brief shootout in the forest area, two militants fled from the spot and barged into the house of one Muhammad Sadiq. The government forces evacuated all the family members safely and after that launched an assault on the holed up militants, newsgathering agency CNS quoted an unnamed police official as said. The militants, according to KNS, have been identified as Vilayat Khan, Divisional Commander Haphruda and Abu Kasha. “Both the militants belong to LeT,” the KNS claimed. Police said two AK 47 rifles were recovered from the site. The search of the nearby houses and the adjoining jungle area is underway.
The report suggested that the operation that was halted little before midnight resumed early Tuesday morning.
Reports said that the holed up militants gave a tough fight and tried to inflict maximum damage on the government forces.
The fierce encounter claimed five lives including two militants. The slain militants have not been identified yet, the Srinagar-based defense spokesperson N N Joshi said.
Eyewitnesses said the operation came to an end after the army blasted the house. Among those who got killed during the gun fight included a Junior Commissioned Officer of Indian Army Kananwadi, SOG man Reyaz Ahmed of Gurez and Head Constable Muhammad Shafi.
Four policemen were also injured during the encounter who have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Reyaz Ahmed (2865), Shahlala (635), Reyaz Ahmed (823) and Fayaz Khan (383). A police official said that no civilian was injured during the gunfight.
Anantnag shootout
Meanwhile a policeman was critically injured when unknown gunman shot him in South Kashmirs Anantnag area.Anantnag and adjoining areas are scheduled for polling on April 24. Officials stated that the injured police man was shifted to Srinagar hospital for the treatment.
Police sources said that constable Shabir Ahmed (651A) resident of Yusyusu Achabal was on routine duty when a suspected militant appeared in front of him near Rehat Didi Masjid, Lal Chowk Anantnat and shot at him. The gunman according to eyewitnesses fled the spot soon after attacking the police constable. The cop was immediately rushed to Srinagar for treatment where his condition is stated to stable. A CNS report, quoting an unnamed police official, said the gunman snatched the service rifle from the injured policeman before fleeing the scene.
According to CNS the Deputy Inspector General of Police South Kashmir Range Vijay Kumar believes that a Hizbul Mujahideen militant hailing from Redwani area of Kulgam, might have carried out the attack. We are collecting the details in this regard and soon it would be clear who manned this attack, he said.
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