Srinagar: Three militants of The Resistance Front (TRF) were killed in an overnight gunfight at Sopore in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said on Tuesday.
One Ak-47 rifle besides two pistols were recovered from the possession of the militant trio two of whom were from Shopian and other from Kupwara districts, a police spokesman said in a statement issued here to GNS.
He said based on specific input regarding presence of militates in Pethseer area of Sopore, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 52RR and CRPF in the area during the intervening night of August 23 and 24.
He said during the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained, he said, they were given opportunity to surrender. However, he said, instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“Due to darkness the operation was suspended, while the cordon was kept intact,” he said, adding, “In the wee hours, repeated announcements were again made to the hiding (militants) to surrender, but they again fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated.”
In the ensuing encounter, he said three militants identified as Faisal Fayaz son of Fayaz Ahmad Thokar of Kapren Shopian, Ghulam Mustafa Sheikh son of Abdul Ahad Sheikh of Tekipura Kupwara and Rameez Ahmad Ghanie son of Abdul Majeed Ghanie of Zipor Dharamati, Shopian were killed. The trio was affiliated with LeT (TRF), the spokesman said.
“As per police records, the killed (militants) were part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on security establishments.”
The spokesman said “incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK-47 rifle and two Pistols were recovered from the site of encounter.”
Police said ten militants including TRF chief Sheikh Abbas were killed in last six days. This year, he said, 107 militants were killed in Kashmir Valley. (GNS)
