2022: 10 days, 7 gunbattles, 13 militants dead in Kashmir

KULGAM — Two Al-Badr militants were killed in an overnight encounter at Hassanpora village located on the border of Kulgam and Anantnag districts of south Kashmir, police said Monday. The first 10 days of the year 2022 have recorded seven encounters, resulting in the killing of 13 militants.

A police official told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that acting on a specific lead about the presence of militants in village Hassanpora bordering twin districts of Kulgam and Anantnag, a joint cordon was laid by Police and 1 RR in the area on Sunday late evening.

“As the security forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately, triggering an encounter. The fire was retaliated and the heavy exchange of fire took place,” the official said.

“In the ensuing encounter, two militants of Al-Badr were killed and their bodies retrieved from the site. They have been identified as Imad Muzaffar Wani, resident of Arigam, Pulwama and Abdur Rashid Thoker, resident of Hassanpora,” Police said and added that the duo was involved in several cases.

Pertinently, the year 2022 started with encounters and as per official figures, in the first 10 days of the New Year, 13 militants were killed in seven encounters. The slain includes top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander Saleem Parray.

Srinagar district witnessed two encounters, Kulgam witnessed two, Kupwara witnessed one, Pulwama and Budgam also witnessed one encounter each, the figures state.