Two JeM militants killed in nocturnal gunfight in Pulwama

Srinagar: Two JeM militants were killed in a nocturnal gunfight at Drabgam area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.

Official sources said that contingents of Army’s 44 RR, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of police cordoned off Baba Mohalla of Drabgam village today at around 7:30 PM.

The forces had installed lights so as to prevent the escape of militants, owing to darkness, they said.

As the forces intensified the searches, militants hiding in the area opened fire, leading to a gunfight. The Army, then, rushed more reinforcements to the area.

A police officer said that the cordon was launched following specific inputs about the presence of some JeM militants in the village.

In the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed and their bodies were recovered along with as many weapons and other war-like stores, he said.

The officer said that the identity of the duo is being ascertained.

Sources said that a residential house of Abdul Khaliq Negroo, where the militants were hiding, was razed to rubble.

As per the sources, JeM militants killed in Drabgam encounter have been identified as Shahid Baba from Drabgam Pulwama and Anayat Ullah from Arihal Pulwama.

Earlier, as the cordon was being laid, the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces who in turn lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse them.

Meanwhile, the internet has been suspended in Pulwama and neighbouring Shopian district of south Kashmir following the gunfight. (GNS)