Shopian Encounter: After Giving in, Militant Appealed to Trapped Companions to Surrender but Refused

Shopian 6 May (KNB): Three militants of Al-Badr outfit were killed while one surrendered in the encounter which raged in Kanigam area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district during the early morning hours on Thursday.

In a statement, Police said that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in Kanigam area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by Police, 44RR and 178Bn CRPF in the said area.

“During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender,” officials said, adding that family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender.

As per Police, after repeated surrender appeals by security forces along with the family members, one of the trapped militants identified as Tausif Ahmad, laid down his arms and surrendered before the joint security forces.

“The surrendered militant later also appealed to his trapped companions to surrender, however, they turned down the surrender offer and fired indiscriminately on joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” officials said in the statement.

Officials further said that in the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.

They have been identified as Danish Mir, Mohd Umer Bhat both residents of Khajapora Shopian and Zaid Bashir Reshi resident of Raben Shopian.
“As per police records, they were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr,” officials added.

Moreover, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar – IPS congratulated the joint team of police and security forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a misguided youth.

IGP Kashmir once again makes a fervent appeal to all misguided youth who have joined militant ranks to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents.
“We will welcome and accept them with open arms,” he said.

Furthermore, as per the statement, Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other militant crimes,” officials said.

Officials added that the last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.

They also said that in this connection police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. (KNB)