Shopian, Mar 28, KNT: Four militants were killed in two separate gunfights in south and north Kashmir, triggering shutdown and clashes in parts of Pulwama and Shopian districts.
Three militants were killed in a gunfight in Yawran forest area of Kellar in Shopian district. A police spokesperson said that following specific inputs about the presence of militants, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area.
During the operation, militants opened fire on the search party, which was retaliated, leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing exchange, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the encounter site.
Police said incriminating materials, including three AK-47 rifles, were recovered. A case has been registered and investigation initiated.
The slain militants were identified as Sajad Khanday, Aqib Ahmad Dar and Basharat Ahmad Mir, all residents of Pulwama. According to police records, the trio was affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba and were wanted in several cases related to attacks on security establishments.
Police said Aqib had a long militant record and was involved in conspiring and executing multiple attacks in the area. The other two were also allegedly involved in several militant activities.
Following the killings, intense clashes erupted at Muran Chowk in Pulwama as local youth took to the streets and hurled stones at government forces, who responded with tear smoke shells and pellets. Reports said several persons were injured in the clashes.
A complete shutdown was observed in Shopian and Pulwama districts against the killings. Mobile internet services were suspended in both districts as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, in a separate encounter in Yaroo area of Langate in Handwara, one militant was killed during a gunfight after security forces launched a search operation based on specific inputs. Police identified the slain militant as Danish Ahmad Dar, a resident of Sopore. [KNT]
