One injured civilian also succumbs at a Srinagar hospital
Srinagar, J&K —
Two ‘foreign’ militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed while a local militant surrendered after being injured in a gunfight with a joint team of government forces in Meej area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.
The gunfight had started on Thursday evening when the militants were tracked down in Lalpora Chatlam area of Meej Pampore by the joint team of forces, including J&K Police, Army’s 50 Rastriya Rifles and CRPF’s 110 battalion, a police spokesperson was quoted by a local news agency.
“On a specific input regarding presence of (militants), a joint cordon and search operation was launched yesterday (Thursday) evening by Police, Army and CRPF in the area,” the spokesman said, adding, “During the search operation, the hiding (militants) fired indiscriminately, resulting in injuries to two civilians and managed to escape from the hiding spot.”
In the first instance, the spokesman said, both the injured civilians were immediately rescued and shifted to hospital for the treatment. However, one of them identified as Abid Ahmad Mir (22) son of Abdul Hamid Mir, resident of Meej Pampore succumbed to his injuries, while as the condition of other injured is stated to be stable.
“The joint team again tracked the (militants) and as their presence got ascertained, they were given opportunity to surrender. However, they again fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” the police spokesman said.
However due to darkness, the spokesperson said the operation was suspended and whole area was put under strict cordon. He added, “In the wee hours, operation resumed and in the ensuing encounter one of the trapped (militants) was killed. However, the opportunity to surrender was yet again offered to the other trapped (militants), as a result of which one of them laid down his arms and ammunition and surrendered in an injured condition during the live encounter and was subsequently shifted to hospital.”
“The bodies of both the killed militants were retrieved from the site of encounter, who as per reliable sources are Pakistani nationals,” a police spokesman said.
The surrendered militant has been identified as Khawar Sultan Mir son of Mohammad Sultan Mir of Drangbal Pampore. “All the three were affiliated with outfit LeT,” as per J&K Police.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar ‘congratulated’ the joint team for showing “utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a local misguided youth.”
The top police officer said that nine militants have surrendered during live encounters this year.
“We will continue to offer local militants’ the option to surrender during live encounters,” he said.
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