Jahangeer Ganaie

Two ISJK militants killed in Shopian encounter

Two ISJK militants killed in Shopian encounter
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Gunfight rages in Sopore village, one LeT militant killed

Shopian: Two militants belonging to ISJK outfit were killed in a pre dawn gunfight between government forces and militants in Awneera village of Zainapora belt in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, police said. Elsewhere, a LeT militant was believed to be killed in a gunfight that was raging between militants and forces in Wadoora Payeen Sopore in north Kashmir.
An official said that a joint team of forces including army’s 1st RR, CRPF and SOG cordoned off Gopal Awneera area after recieving credible input about the presence of some militants in the area.
As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon the government forces triggering an encounter, he said.
During the exchange of gunfire two militants were killed who were identified as Shakir Ahmad Wagay from Awneera Shopian and Sayar Ahmad from Munchew Kulgam, the official added.
As per locals a house also suffered damage during the encounter, however, police refuted the claim claiming that no collateral damage took place during the encounter.
Shakir Ahmad Wagay son of Mohammed Khalil Wagay resident of Awneera according to his family went missing in December 2018.
“We tried hard to trace him but couldn’t locate him. Later we filled his missing report at Police station Zainapora,” they said.
“He was never inclined towards militancy, was never arrested before joining militant ranks nd was not taking part in street protests,” they added.
Belonging to an economically sound family, Shakir was pursuing B tech at SSM college Parihaspora Pattan before joining the militant ranks, they said.
Shakir is survived by five brothers and two sisters besides his parents.
Sayar Ahmad Bhat son of Sanaullah Bhat resident of Munchew Kulgam according to his family went missing during the 2nd week of March 019.
“Sayar was arrested once over stone pelting charges before joining militant ranks. He was a close friend of slain Hizb commander Hilal Ahmad Wani,” they said.
Belonging to a middle class family,Sayar according to his friends had completed his bachelor’s degree before joining the militant ranks.
He was known in the area for his volley ball skills, said one of his friends adding that Sayar went missing few days before his Nikah ceremony was scheduled to be held.
Sayar is survived by two brothers, two sisters and his parents.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militants.
Eyewitness said that both the militants were laid to rest in their native villages after multiple rounds of funeral prayers in presence of thousands of people amid pro freedom and pro militant slogans.
A complete shutdown was also observed in most parts of Kulgam and Shopian districts against the militant killings, eyewitnesses added.
Furthermore in wake of the gunfight internet services were snapped in Kulgam and Shopian districts, reports added.
Meanwhile, a militant is believed to be killed in an ongoing gunfight which broke out between militants and government forces in Wadoora Payeen village of Sopore in north Kashmir Baramulla district.
Official sources said that one militant has been killed amid ongoing encounter. Earlier officials said that a joint team of army’s 22 RR, CRPF and SOG cordoned off the Wodoora Payeen area Sopore on Tuesday morning.
After day long siege, the joint team intensified the searches and fired some gunshots towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire leading to an encounter, they said.
A police officer also confirmed that the gunfight broke out between the militants and the government forces in the area and said that two militants are believed to be trapped.
He said that earlier the cordon-and-search operation was launched in the area following specific information about the presence of some militants.
Sources earlier said that two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants area believed to be trapped in area. Meanwhile, soon after the encounter broke out authorities suspended internet services in Sopore division.


Jahangeer Ganaie

Jahangeer Ganaie is a reporter and covers regional news and can be contacted [email protected]

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