Security forces killed two Hizbul Mujahideen militants in South Kashmir’s Shopian district where four soldiers including an officer were injured in a prolonged gun-battle. “Two militants have been killed. The operation is still going on,” Superintendent of Police, Shopian, Altaf Khan said.
The encounter began on Tuesday after security forces received specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in Hef Shermal area of Shopian, 52 kms from here. As the joint team of police and Army began a search operation in the area, the hiding militants opened fire on them triggering an encounter. The operation was halted for the night but the gunfight resumed on Wednesday morning and two militants were gunned down in the early hours.
locals said that several houses have been damaged during the encounter while people from adjacent areas including Panjran, Achan, Shirmal and Sogun staged massive protest against the ongoing encounter. The villagers were chased away with teargas shelling and cane charge. Sources said that two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in the gun-battle. They have been identified as Ashiq Hussain Dar and Shabir Ahmed Ganai.
“Four Army men also sustained injuries in the gunfight including an officer. They were taken to Base Hospital where their condition is stable. The search operation is still on as per the last reports”, Defence spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Hizb outfit has said that a network of ‘informers’ has been activated by the Army to kill militants in encounters. “There is an active network in Kashmir that is helping Indian Army to trace and kill Mujhadeens. We have identified all the men operating that network and in coming days we will teach them a lesson,” Hizb Operational Spokesperson Baleeg-u-Din told local news agency CNS.