PULWAMA: After a month long lull, three militants of Al-Badr outfit were killed in an encounter at Tiken village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.
This was the first encounter after a gap of one month. Earlier, on November 10, two local militants were killed in Kutpora, Shopian. A senior police officer told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that on a credible input joint team of Police, Army’s 55 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Tiken village at around 4 am.
He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
“After initial exchange of fire, when it was found that the trapped militants are locals, they were repeatedly asked to surrender by forces. However, they turned down repeated surrender offers and fired upon forces, which was retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight resulting in the killing of trio,” the official said.
The official identified the slain as Mehraj-ud Din Lone son of Bashir Ahmad Lone, resident of Arigam, Pulwama, Umar Ali son of Ali Muhammad Mir resident of Dadsara Awantipora and Owais Farooq son of Farooq Ahmad Allaie, resident of Kadlabal, Chersoo Awantipora. “All three were missing since August this year,” he said.
Pertinently, Umar Ali is the brother of Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, who was also a militant and was killed in an encounter in 1st July 2013 in north Kashmir.
Notably, an encounter took place in South Kashmir after a gap of one month as earlier on 10 November two local militants were killed in Kutpora, Shopian.
Srinagar-based army in its tweet wrote: “Total three militants killed in Pulwama encounter. Recoveries include- – AK Rifle- 01, magazines- 05 with 140 rounds – Pistol- 02, magazines- 02 with 02 rounds Joint operation over.
A police spokesman in a statement issued that one Zamir Sadiq Lone in whose house the militants were hiding also received gunshot injuries and was evacuated to hospital for the treatment of his injuries where his condition is stated to be stable.
“As per police records, the killed militants were part of groups involved in many crime cases including planning and executing several major attacks on security forces,” the statement said. “Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead bodies of the killed militants shall be sent to Baramulla for their burial & last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the killed militants shall be allowed to participate in the last rites at Baramulla”