Three militants — two Al-Badr and one Hizbul Mujahideen — were killed in a 12-hour operation in south Kashmir’s Shopian.
“During a search operation in Shopian’s Sugan, the trapped hiding terrorists were given the opportunity to surrender on Tuesday evening. However, they fired indiscriminately at the security forces. Later, they made attempts to break the cordon and escape but were neutralised,” a police spokesman said.
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The police said the operation was suspended in the night due to darkness and was resumed on Wednesday morning
“The slain terrorists were part of groups involved in planning and executing several terror attacks including civilian atrocities and attacks on security establishments,” the police said.
They were identified as Sajad Ahmad Malla of the Hizb and Junaid Rashid Wani and Waseem Ahmad Magray of the Al-Badar outfits.
Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site, the police said.
“The bodies shall be sent to Handwara for burial due to the pandemic. The nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites,” the police said.
L-G condemns attack on BJP leader
Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha on Wednesday expressed “resentment and anguish” over the militant attack on a BJP leader in Ganderbal area on Tuesday.
“It is an act of cowardice. Those involved will be brought to justice,” the L-G said.
He also extended solidarity with the family of the deceased personal security officer, who was guarding the BJP leader. “All possible help will be extended to the family of the deceased,” he said.
DGP Dilbag Singh praised the deceased PSO Altaf Hussain and another constable Jahangir Ahmad for thwarting the attack and killing a militant, who was a close aide of slain militant commander Reyaz Naikoo.
“The exemplary valiant act of the accompanying security officials resulted in the killing of the active terrorist on the spot,” he said.
The DGP said slain militant Shabir Ahmad Shah, a resident of Pulwama, was an over ground worker of Naikoo and joined militancy very recently.
