KV Correspondent

Two militants killed in Khonmoh encounter

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Srinagar: Two local militants were killed in an encounter with security forces which broke out after a failed bid to snatch the weapon of the personal security guard (PSO) of a BJP leader in Balhama area of Khonmoh in Pulwama district, police said.

The militants yesterday tried to snatch the service rifle of constable Bilal Ahmad, who is the PSO of BJP leader Anwar Khan, at Balhama in Pulwama district.

The police personnel accompanying Khan foiled the attempt, during which Ahmad received a bullet injury.

“Bodies of two militants have been recovered so far,” a police spokesman said.

“Incriminating materials, which include weapon and ammunition, have been recovered as well,” he said.

Searches are going on at the encounter site as there were reports of third militant as well at the time of weapon snatching attempt, police added.

Notably, the gunfight had started yesterday evening which continued late in the night.

“Following leads, forces cordoned a cluster of houses at Balhama, wherein the hiding militants fired upon them. During the initial firing, a CRPF personnel sustained bullet injuries and was shifted to 92 Base Hospital for treatment. He is stated to be stable,” the police spokesman said.

Pertinently, four residential houses where the militants were reportedly hiding were razed to rubble during the gunfight.

Two houses belonged to Ghulam Mohammad Bhat and the two others to Mohammad Yousuf Bhat and Ghulam Mouhdin. The houses were damaged during the fierce gun battle between the two sides, local sources said.

Police sources identified the slain militants as Rasiq Nabi Bhat resident of Tral and Shabir Dar, a resident of Awantipora in Pulwama.

As per police records the duo had joined militancy last year in the month of March and August, respectively.

Meanwhile following the killings, all schools and colleges were closed in Pulwama district while internet services were also snapped as a precautionary measure.

Trains services were also put on hold for the day, an official spokesman said.


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

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