A third encounter is currently going on in Kachdoora area of Shopian where some civilians are trapped. (Express file photo)
Eleven militants were killed and another captured in three separate encounters in South Kashmir’s Shopian and Anantnag district. Among the slain militants, there were two top commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen. Three army personnel also sustained injures. While one militant was killed and another surrendered before forces in Anantnag district, seven ultras were killed in a gunbattle in Shopian district. In the third encounter in Kachdoora area of Shopian, three militants were gunned down.
The militant who was killed at Dailgam, seven kilometres from Anantnag town, has been identified as Rouf Bashir Shiekh. He had joined militancy last month itself. His accomplice Amir, though, managed to escape and efforts are on to nab him. Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) S P Vaid confirmed the killing of eight militants. “One terrorist killed in Dialgam Anantnag after efforts of his family/ J&K Police failed to surrender, one caught alive. In Draggad Shopian 7 (seven) bodies of terrorists recovered including top commanders,” he said in a tweet.
The clashes between civilians and police in Shopian have taken a deadly turn, with two people killed in ensuing mayhem. More than 50 people have been injured as people took to the streets to protest against the killing of 11 militants in three encounters at Shopian and Anantnag districts.
According to official figure, around 126 local youths had joined militant ranks in Kashmir in 2017, many of whom were killed in different encounters with security forces. The trend of local boys picking up guns began after Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed in an alleged encounter in 2016 at Kokernag in south Kashmir. READ HERE
The incident comes two days after the Jammu and Kashmir government released separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani from house detention after five years, just 11 days after he stepped down as the chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai is now the new chief of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai (L) with Syed Shah Geelani (R) (Photo: ANI/Twitter)
J&K DGP Vaid and AK Bhatt, commander of the Srinagar-headquartered Chinar Corps, will address a press conference later today to brief the media about the three gunfights.
Meanwhile, around 50 civilians have been injured in Shopian district as they clashed with security forces following the killing of 11 militants in the district. Police said the protesters in Dragad, Kachdoora and Sugan villages resorted to heavy stone pelting at security forces who used tear smoke shells and fired pellets. Doctors at the Shopian district hospital said they referred 20 patients to Srinagar hospitals as they were unable to cope with the rush. Internet as well as rail services have been suspended in south Kashmir.
Three other militants trapped in the encounter with security forces in Kachdoora village in Shopian district have been killed. Quoting sources, IANS reported that the victims include Naveed Jatt alias Abu Hunzalla of the Let who had escaped from a Srinagar hospital on February 6. But official confirmation on his death is still awaited.
Giving details of the operation at Dialgam area of Anantnag, a police officer said as the search started and the location of militants was zeroed in, security forces made repeated requests on loud speaker asking them to surrender. On this, the official said, one of the militants came out of the house and surrendered before forces. He has been taken into custody, the official said, adding, his family also helped the police in motivating him to come out of the house and surrender. The other militant did not surrender and instead resorted to firing on forces which was retaliated and in which he was killed, the official said. Both militants were part of Hizbul Mujahideen, he said.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) S P Vaid confirmed the killing of eight militants. “One terrorist killed in Dialgam Anantnag after efforts of his family/ J&K Police failed to surrender, one caught alive. In Draggad Shopian 7 (seven) bodies of terrorists recovered including top commanders,” he said in a tweet. He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained.
Meanwhile, clashes have broken out in Shopian and two dozen people have been injured. The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, has called for a strike across Kashmir valley on Sunday and Monday in view of militant killings in south Kashmir. They also asked people to suspend businesses and other activities.
Encounter still underway in Shopian's Kachdoora area. J&K DGP SP Vaid says 4-5 terrorists are believed to be trapped alongwith some civilians in some houses. “Encounter also going on in Kachdoora Shopian, some civilian trapped efforts to rescue them on,” the DGP said.
Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Anantnag district and in Dragad and Kachdoora area of Shopian on Sunday morning, following specific inputs regarding presence of militants in the area. While searches were being conducted, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight, seven militants were killed in Shopian, while one militant named Rouf Bashir Shiekh was shot in Shopian district. He had joined militancy last month itself. His accomplice Amir, though, managed to escape and efforts are on to nab him.