Lethpora attack Ends, 8 killed including three militants

Srinagar, Jan 01 (KNB): With the killing of an another militant in two-day gunfight between militants and government forces in Lethpora Pulwama Fidayeen attack the toll of the deceased has mounted to eight five of them CRPF men.

To cap the two-day gunfight between militants and government forces eight persons were killed, five of them CRPF men and remaining three were ‘fidayeen (suicide) attackers two of them identified as locals.

Thousands of people amid sobs and tears attended the funeral of the slain militants. However, despite restrictions in parts of Pulwama district, few militants appeared in the funeral and offered a gun-salute to their slain associate.

Pertinently, the local militants for the first time over a decade carried out the fidayeen attack at around 2:30 am on Sunday by opening indiscriminate fire and lobbed grenades inside the camp situated in Lethpora area of the district, The attackers later entered inside the training centre of CRPF 185 battalion and engaged the troops in a gun battle which resulted the killing of 8 which includes 5 CRPF personnel and 3 militants.

Earlier, the operation was suspended for the night and ended Monday morning with the recovery of body of third militant. Three AK-47 rifles and eight grenades have been recovered from the site of the gunfight.

Among three killed militants, two were identified as Manzoor Ahmad Baba son of Ali Mohammad Baba of Drubgam Pulwama and Fardeen Ahmad Khanday son of Ghulam Mohammad Khanday, a serving police constable, resident of Nazeen Pora Tral. The slain duo, they said, had joined militant ranks only three months ago.

Menwhile, amid shutdown clashes between protesters and government forces erupted in several parts of South Kashmir including at Khrew Chowk Pampore, Pulwama, Tral, Awantipora and other interior areas of Pulwama district during which dozens were injured after forces used live bullets and pellets to disperse the protestors.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat (M) in a statement has said that it was because of continuous oppression and iron fist policy of the government of India and its local collaborators here that the young boys are pushed into picking up arms as a means of resistance.  The Hurriyat said peace won’t prevail in Kashmir until Government of India takes serious steps to resolve the issue as per the aspirations of the people of J&K. (KNB)