2 militants killed as gunfights galore in north Kashmir

Two unidentified militants were killed while four policemen, including two officers, and a civilian were injured as security forces and militants battled each other at three places in north Kashmir on Thursday.

As the first encounter was going on in northern Sopore town, two more gun battles erupted in neighbouring Bandipora and Baramulla districts.

Police said the first gunfight started after security forces launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Warpora area of Sopore, 52 kms from here, following ‘specific information’ about the presence of some militants.

A police official said that the hiding militants hurled a grenade at the search party injuring Station House Officer (SHO), Dangiwacha Mudasir Geelani and his PSO Javed Ahmad. The encounter was going on when reports last came in.

In a separate encounter, security forces were battling with militants in Hajin area in Bandipora district where a CASO was launched following inputs about the presence of militants. “Security forces are carrying out the operation with caution as two civilians are reportedly inside the house from where the militants are firing," a police officer said.

A civilian was rescued from the house while a 12-year-old boy remained stuck inside. Sources said security forces blasted off one of the houses, where the militants were hiding. “One militant has been killed so far, while one or two are still firing at the forces,” they said.

Another gunfight started in Kandi area of Baramulla district after forces resumed on Thursday morning a search operation which was suspended due to darkness on Wednesday evening. “As the search operation was resumed, militants fired at the security forces, triggering an encounter in Kandi in which a deputy superintend of police and a policeman were injured,” the officer said and added so far one militant has been neutralised.

The encounter was going on when the reports last came in.

While the four districts of south Kashmir – Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag – have emerged as the hotbed of a new wave of localised militancy in the last four years, a large number of ultras are reportedly concentrating in northern parts of the Valley, not far from the Line of Control (LoC).

Local militants operating in south Kashmir, a police officer said, are poorly trained and not well equipped. “Being close to LoC, the militants in the north have access to more sophisticated weapons. In coming times, more encounters will be reported in the north, and security forces can suffer more casualties due to the fact that battle-hardened Pakistani militants are present in north Kashmir with latest weapons,” he warned.