Second ultra killed in Pulwama encounter

A 20-hour encounter between militants and security forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district ended on Thursday afternoon with the killing of another militant.

A gunfight between militants and security forces broke out at Ichgosa village in Pulwama, 45 km from here, on Wednesday in which divisional commander of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Altaf Baba alias Gazi Baba was killed.

Sources said security forces had suspended the operation on Wednesday night due to darkness. However, the cordon around Ichgosa village was further tightened to foil any attempt by the militants to escape.

“With the first light today, the search operation was launched again. The holed-up militant fired indiscriminately which was retaliated by security forces in which the militant was killed,” they added. The cordon was lifted after the encounter and the identity of the slain militant was being ascertained.

Meanwhile, tension gripped Pulwama on Thursday as hundreds took to the streets to mourn the death of Altaf Baba. Witnesses told Deccan Herald over the phone that protesters attacked a “Rakshak” vehicle following which policemen lobbed teargas shells and resorted to baton charge to disperse them.  Some policemen were reportedly injured in the clash.