Three Al-Badr militants were killed by the security forces in a pre-dawn operation in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Thursday. Another militant who surrendered was arrested.
“After the presence of terrorists was ascertained, the family members of the trapped ultras were called to the encounter site to persuade them to surrender. One of the trapped terrorists, Tausif Ahmad, surrendered. He also appealed to his trapped companions to surrender. However, they turned down the offer and fired indiscriminately, leading to an encounter,” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
The militants were encircled in the Kanigam area of Shopian by a joint team of the police, the Army and the CRPF.
The slain militants were identified as Danish Mir, Umer Bhat, both from the Khajapora area of Shopian, and Zaid Bashir Reshi from Raben Shopian. “They were affiliated with the Al-Badr outfit,” the police said.
Mr. Kumar congratulated the joint team for showing “utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a misguided youth.”
“We make a fervent appeal to all misguided youth, who have joined terror ranks, to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents. We will welcome and accept them with open arms,” he added.
The last rites of the slain militants will be allowed to be attended by the nearest of family members, the police said.