Two militants, soldier killed in Sopore gunfight
Schools and colleges closed, internet snapped in the area
Sopore: Two militants and a soldier were killed in a gunfight at Pazalpora area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday morning.
Reports said that the two militant were killed in the encounter which broke out in wee hours today after army’s 22 RR, SOG and CRPF 92 Battalion launched a cordon-and-search operation inPazalpora area of Sopore.
An army officer confirming the killing of two militants and the soldier in the gunfight said that the operation was conducted after specific inputs about the presence of the militants in the area.
SSP Sopore Javid Iqbal said that the exchange of fire started during the wee hours as forces were laying a cordon around the house where the militant were hiding.
While talking to media persons the SSP confirmed that two militants have been killed during the operation, saying that the identity of slain militants is yet to be ascertained.
The SSP said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter and police has also registered a case in this regard and investigation has been initiated in the instant matter.
Meanwhile, authorities ordered closure of all the schools, colleges in Baramulla, Sopore and Rafiabad on Friday as ‘a precautionary measure’.
Moreover, SSP Sopore urged the citizens not to venture near the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials.
“People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any,” he said.
Notably, it was the second encounter in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district during the last two days.
Earlier, two militants were killed in AthooraKreeri encounter on Thursday.
Meanwhile, one among the militants killed in Thursday’s encounter was identified as Akeel Ahmed Sofi.
The other one was identified as MehnazMoihuddin son of Ghulam Mohiudin of Brath Kalan sopore
His body was handover to his family for last rites and was later buried at his native village.
Thousands of people participated in his funeral prayer, which was held at local graveyard at his native village on early Friday.
Meanwhile, parts of Baramulla today observed a complete shutdown to mourn the killing of two militants on Thursday.
Meanwhile, an army soldier Brijesh Kumar who was injured earlier in the initial gunfire succumbed in military hospital here at 92 base Badamibagh, Srinagar. Kumar has suffered fatal injury during the gunfight and he was rushed to army base hospital where he succumbed.
Notably, internet was also snapped in the area following the encounter.
Bilal Ahmad
