Two militants killed in overnight gunfight in Sopore

BARAMULLA — Two militants were killed in an overnight encounter at Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir confirming one among them as a Pakistani national while the identity of the another is being ascertained.

Talking to reporters, the IGP Kashmir V K Bhirdi, as per the news agency KNO, said that two militants were killed in the Nowpora encounter. “As per the documents recovered from the slain, one terrorist has been identified as Saifullah,” he said, adding that the identity of the second one is being ascertained.

He said the successful operation reflects the alertness of security forces ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Kashmir.

“We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for Lok Sabha polls,” he said, adding that arms, ammunition and incriminating material have been recovered from the slain militants.

Earlier on Thursday evening, officials said that a joint team of Army’s 22 RR, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police laid a cordon and search operation in Check Nowpora village of Sopore after having credible inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering an encounter. During the operation, two soldiers and a civilian received bullet injuries. The injured are doing well after receiving immediate medical treatment, they said.

Meanwhile, in response to the gunfight in Sopore town, authorities took the precautionary measure of suspending classwork in educational institutions in the area on Friday.

“All government and private educational institutions, including colleges falling within Sopore tehsil’s jurisdiction, will remain closed today,” an administrative official said in the morning.

Pertinently, Sopore witnessed the gunfight after 22 months. In 2022, two local militants identified as Zahid Ahmad Chopan, a resident of Tengwani Shopian and Mohammad Younus Gul, a resident of Washbugh Pulwama of Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit were killed in the Tulibal area on June 21.