SHOPIAN — Four local militants of Lashkar-i-Toiba (LeT) outfit were killed in an encounter that broke out between government forces and militants at Badigam village in Zainapora area of Shopian district in South Kashmir on Thursday.
Reports said a joint team of government forces including Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) at Badigam, Zainapora following the inputs about presence of militants in the area.
They said that as the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
In the encounter four local Lashkar-i-Toiba (LeT) militants were killed and they have been identified as Showkeen Ahmad Thoker, son of M. Abdullaah Thoker and Farooq Ahmed Bhat, son of Ab. Salam Bhat, both residents of Sugan, Shopian and Aqib Ahmad Thoker, son of Farooq Ahmad Thoker and Waseem Ahamd Thoker, son of Ab. Gani Thoker, both residents of Heffkhuri, Shopian.
Aqib and Farooq went missing on March 10 and March 17 respectively while Wasim went missing on April 09 and Showkeen joined militancy April 03 this year.
Two soldiers were killed and two others were injured after a tata sumo in which they were travelling in from 44 RR Chowgam Camp towards encounter site in Badigam mets accident after the driver lost control over the vehicle due to some technical fault and it skidded off the road.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, “LeT militants neutralised in today’s encounter were active in Shopian & adjacent areas of Pulwama. They were involved in 6 terror crimes including attacks on outside labourers”.
“Hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on & they will be neutralised soon,” IGP said. — (KIMS)