Two local militants affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were killed in a pre-dawn gun fight with security forces in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.
“Killed #terrorists identified as Shahid Rather of #Tral & Umar Yousuf of #Shopian. Besides other #terror crimes, #terrorist Shahid was involved in killing of a woman Mst Shakeela of Aripal & a govt employee/ peon Javid Ahmed of Lurgam Tral: IGP Kashmir (sic),” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.
Reports said the encounter erupted during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in Rajpora, Awantipora after security forces launched an anti-militancy operation following specific information about the presence of militants in the area.
As the security forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire, which was retaliated, triggering off a gun fight in which both the ultras were killed, police said and added two AK rifles and incriminating material were seized from the scene of the encounter.
According to J&K police, in 55 encounters this year in the valley, 88 militants, including 26 Pakistanis, have been killed. However, while 88 militants have been killed in the first five months of this year, over 70 locals have joined militant ranks in the same period which is a worrisome trend, sources said.
The police have also arrested 44 active militants and 183 over ground workers (OGW). 14 civilians, including members of minority community, and 16 security personnel have also lost their lives in terror attacks this year.
Last year in 87 encounters, 168 militants were killed by the security forces in Kashmir. Among them, 19 were foreigners, while 149 were locals.
Published 31 May 2022, 03:52 IST