Militants killed in Shopian identified

SHOPIAN — Three militants killed in Yarwan Keller area of Shopian district have been identified which include two from Pulwama and one from Shopian district.

Sources said that they have been identified as Aaqib Ahmad from Bhatnoora Lassipora Pulwama, Basharat Ahmad from Wasoora Pulwama and Sajad Khanday from Bamnoo Keller Shopian.

Officials confirmed that three dead bodies have been recovered so far and search operation is on in the area.

Earlier on specific inputs about the presence of militants in the area, joint teams of forces including 23 Paras cordoned off Yarwan Keller area of Shopian.

At the initial stage of the cordon, hiding militants fired upon forces which was retaliated and triggered a brief shootout, officials had said.

Three militants bodies have been recovered who were killed during the initial shootout and the toll of killed militants in brief shootout may increase as search operation is on. “We have inputs that more militants are trapped,” officials said.