Shopian encounter day 2; One more militant killed, trio identified

Operation called off

Shopian, 07 October (KNB): In a overnight encounter between the government forces and militants at Sugan village of Zainapora belt in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, three militants were killed.

Two among the three militants were killed during the first phase of the encounter before the operation was put to halt due to darkness. However, operation was resumed at the first light this morning as it was believed that another militant was still hiding inside, reports revealed. 
 

Later, Wednesday afternoon, the third militant was also killed during the second phase of the operation. The three militants killed in the encounter have been identified as Sajad Malla of Maldera Shopian, Junaid Rasheed of Tumlahaal Pulwama and Mehraj din of Arigam Pulwama. Arms and ammunition recovered, further revealed. 

Militants were repeatedly asked to surrender, however, they refused to do so and fired upon us, in retaliation we killed two of them, an official said.  

Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He further said that as the joint teams of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter. (KNB)