Three militants killed as gunfight ends in Shopian

SRINAGAR — Three militants have been killed and an Army soldier was injured in an encounter with government forces at Handew area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.

The encounter broke out after a joint team of Army’s 44 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation this afternoon at Handew village.

A police officer said that three militants were killed in the gunfight and an Army soldier sustained bullet injuries during the operation.

The injured soldier was taken to nearby Army’s health facility for treatment where from he was shifted to Army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh Srinagar.

The officer said that the bodies of the slain militants have been recovered along with arms and ammunition.

The officer identified the three slain as part of a Hizb module that include Shakir Ahmed Paul of Molu Dangerpora who had joined militancy 25-days back only and the other two were identified as Yawar Ahmed Dar of Bandpaho Shopian and Shakil Ahmed Dar of Tukroo Shopian.

The officer said that the identity and group affiliation of the slain is being ascertained.