Massive searches launched in Kupwara
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Nov 25: Militants today killed an off-duty soldier in Shopian district of South Kashmir while security forces launched massive searches in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said here that soldier was on leave and was abducted by militants. “Sepoy Irfan Ahmad Dar, 23, a resident of Senzen village in Shopian district, was a serving soldier. He was posted in a Territorial Army unit in Bandipora district,” he said.
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“He was on leave till November 26. While on leave, he was possibly abducted and killed by terrorists. The matter is being investigated by the police.”
Dar’s body, bearing bullet marks, was recovered by the police in Keegam village of Shopian district this morning. Security forces launched massive searches against the assailants in the area.
Dar’s killing comes months after killing of a BSF man Mohammad Ramzan Parrey at his home in Hajin area of Bandipora and murder of Lt Umar Fayaz, posted with 2 Rajputana Rifle.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killing.
Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “Strongly condemn the brutal killing of Irfan Ahmed, a brave Territorial Army soldier at Shopian. Such heinous acts will not weaken our resolve to establish peace and normalcy in the Valley.”
Omar said: “The murder of young Irfan Dar is a very tragic & reprehensible act. My unqualified condemnation & heartfelt condolences to his family.”
And security forces today launched cordon and search operation in Astan Mohalla of Kakapora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The Special Operations Group (SOG) Kakapora and Army launched search operation after receiving the inputs about the presence of militants in the area. House to house searches were conducted in the village but militants had managed to escape before the operation was launched.
Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and SOG today conducted massive searches in at least four different villages of Kupwara district.
Sources said that a search operation was started in Bawan village of Zachaldara at Handwara by 21 RR and police after reports about presence of militants in the village.
Another search operation was started at Kutlari Mawar in Qalmabad area of Handwara by 30 RR and police following inputs about presence of militants in the area.
One more operation was launched at Chandigam in Sogam area of Kupwara by 28 RR and police against a group of militants. At village Jagerpora in Kupwara a search operation was launched by 47 RR,98 Bn CRPF and Police against another group of militants.
And Army last night arrested a Pakistani militant belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) from a forest area in Kupwara district. “A Pakistani LeT militant was apprehended in a joint operation by Army and JKP in Magam forests. One AK-47 along with ammunition was also seized from him”, the Defence spokesman said.
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