Two LeT militants killed as gunfight ends in Shopian

SHOPIAN — Two militants have been killed in a pre-dawn encounter at Hind Sitapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday.

Reports reaching here said that a joint team of forces including Army’s 34RR and SOG Shopian cordoned off Sitapora after having credible input about the presence of some militants in the area.

As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon government forces which triggered an encounter.

A senior police official confirmed that two militants have been killed in the exchange of fire between militants and government forces.

Both the slain militants have been identified as Aadil Bashir Wani resident of Waripora Damhal Hanji Pora Kulgam and Javaid Ahmad Bhat resident of Redwani Kulgam.

The duo were affiliated with LeT (Lashkar-i-Toiba) militant outfit.

Meanwhile, youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces near the encounter site and its adjoining parts. The forces deployed in the area used tear smoke shells and pellets to disperse them, resulting in injuries to seven persons and three of them with pellets.

The pellet injured have been identified as Shabir Ahmad (40) son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Checkichullan Shopain (pellet injury in left eye), Sameer Ahmad Shah (20), Nazir Ahmad Shah of Iqbalpora Shopain (pellet injury in right eye) and Waseem Ahmad Malla (16) son of Fayaz Ahmad Malla of Reshipora Harmain Shopain (pellet injury in left eye).

All the injured were taken to Shopian hospital where from three pellet-wounded were referred to SMHS for specialized treatment.

A doctor at SMHS hospital said that the trio are being treated. He said that the condition of the trio is stable.

Meanwhile, in wake of the killings, authorities have snapped internet services in Shopian and Kulgam districts. (With GNS Inputs)