Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed in gun battle in Shopian

The trapped militants were given enough time to surrender, according to the police, but they refused to consider the government forces’ offer.

SRINAGAR (J&K) —

Two local militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit were killed in a gunfight in southern Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday, according to Jammu and Kashmir Police.

“On a specific input regarding the presence of (militants) in Zeipora area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 34RR and 178 Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

“During the search operation as the presence of (militants) got ascertained, they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” police spokesman said.

The police said that the trapped militants were given ample time to surrender but they denied to accept the government forces’ offer.

Two armed militants were killed in the ensuing gun battle, and their bodies were recovered from the site of gunfight, he said.

The slain militants, according to police, are locals and have been identified as Sabzar Ahmad Ganie of Sehpora area of Kulgam district and Amir Ahmad Bhat of Malibugh, Imamsahib area of Shopian district.

“As per police records, they were part of groups involved in many cases and linked with (Hizb-ul-Mujahideen),” the statement added.

He said arms, ammunition and “other incriminating materials” were recovered from the gunfight site.

The last rites of the killed militants will be held after medico-legal formalities have been completed, and their closest family members will be permitted to attend, according to the spokesman.

Meanwhile, mobile internet has been snapped in the southern district ‘as a precautionary measure’.

It is pertinent to mention here that 38 militants have been killed in various gunfights across the Union Territory this year. Most of the slain militants belong to southern Kashmir, particularly Shopian district.