Gunfight: Two Al-Badr militants killed in Shopian

SRINAGAR — The overnight gunfight in Shopian district of south Kashmir ended on Saturday with the killing of two local Al-Badr militants and injuries to as many soldiers.

The encounter had ensued after a team of Police, 44RR and 178Bn CRPF launched a join cordon and search operation in Kanigam area of Shopian following a specific input regarding presence of militants, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

“During the search operation, as the presence of the (militants) got ascertained, they were given opportunity to surrender,” he said, adding, “However, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter. In the initial firing, two Army personnel got injured and were shifted to hospital for treatment.”

Due to darkness, the operation was suspended and the whole area was put under strict cordon.

“During the wee hours, the (militants) were again appealed to surrender, however they turned down the appeal and started firing indiscriminately,” the spokesperson said.

In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved. They have been identified as Owais Farooq of Kadlabal Pampore and Asif Lone of Turkwangam Shopian, both affiliated with Al-Badr.

As per police records, both the killed militants were part of the group involved in several militant activities including attacks on forces and civilians. “Besides, several cases were registered against Asif Lone including case FIR No. 98/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to attack on Army Naka party at Trenz Shopian on December 7 & FIR No. 153/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to pasting of posters whereby general public was threatened to keep away from recently concluded DDC elections,” police said.

Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, he said, adding, “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other cases.”

“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated,” police said.

The last rites of the killed militants were performed after conducting their medico-legal formalities at Baramulla.