Militant, ‘associate’ killed in Shopian shootout
Shopian: A militant nd his ‘associate’ were killed in a brief shootout in Molu Chitragam area of Shopian district on Sunday late night.
An official said that militants traveling in a Tavera vehicle bearing registration number JK03E0397 jumped a check post set up by party from the 44 RR in the area and opened fire.
The forces retaliated immediately triggering a brief shootout resulting in killing of one militant and one OGW while as another one managed to escape, he said.
The slain were identified as Firdous Ahmad Bhat son of Mohamed Jamal Bhat resident of Poniwah Kulgam and Sajad Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar resident of Wanpora Kulgam.
Firdous according to his relatives was missing since April 05 after forces tried to arrest him along with Irfan Manzoor however, both managed to flee from the spot.
Irfan Manzoor along with his associate was killed in an encounter in Gopalpora area of Kulgam on May 22.
Firdous was arrested before several times and was also asked to visit camps frequently, his relatives said.
Belonging to a very poor family, Firdous had sold his land to set up a religious seminary and an orphanage in his native village, locals said.
At least thirty orphans are presently studying there in the seminary set up by him, they said.
After completing Hifz, Firdous was leading prayers in local Jamia Masjid besides working as Khateeb there, they added.
Firdous who is married is survived by a minor son and a daughter besides his wife.
Sajad according to his family had left home on Sunday evening, his family said adding that they were shocked on Monday morning to hear about his killing.
He was civilian and not an OGW, they said while adding that he was never arrested before.
Belonging to a financially sound family Sajad is survived by three brothers, one sister and parents.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funerals of slain Firdous and Sajad.
Eyewitnesses said that both were laid to rest after multiple rounds of funeral prayers in their native villages amid massive pro freedom sloganeering.
As a precautionary measure internet services were snapped in Kulgam district, sources added.
Jahangeer Ganaie
