lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) outfit received another jolt in Kashmir on Saturday as the security forces shot dead three militants of the group during a gunfight in Amargarh village of north Kashmir’s Sopore area.
A soldier and a policeman were injured in the exchange of fire while three civilians holding protests against the encounter were injured in security forces action at Saderkoot village in Bandipora. The Amargarh encounter took place a day after a militant and a civilian were Rs during another gunfight at Kanelwan village of south Kashmir’s Anatnag district.
The encounter triggered off early in the morning when security forces cordoned off the area, around 50 kilometers from here, following information that a group of militants was hiding in residential houses. “As the cordon was being laid around the suspected houses, the militants opened fire in an attempt to escape. The fire was returned and in the exchange of fire three militants were Rs ," Superintendent of police Harmeet Singh said. “Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site," he said.
A police spokesman said the slain militants, all local residents, were associated with lashkar outfit. They were identified as Javaid Ahmad Dar of Khanpora Baramulla, Abid Hamid Mir of Hajin Bandipora and Danish Ahmad Dar of Batpora Sopore.
Three civilians were also injured in the clashes with forces in Bandipore north Kashmir after the killing of the militants. The authorities suspended all mobile services except BSNl in the areas and announced to close down educational institutes in the entire Baramulla district.
Police said the house where militants were hiding did not suffer damage as the militants were Rs in the lawn of the house. The injured security personnel were immediately shifted to hospital for treatment where they were reported stable.
As the news about Amargarh encounter spread in the area, people came out to stage protests in Saderkoot Bala village in Bandipora district. The security forces allegedly fire automatic weapons to disperse the protesters resulting into injuries to three protesters.