2 Hizb militants killed in Shopian shootout

Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed during a brief shootout with government forces in Shopian district Saturday afternoon. Among the dead was an engineering student who had joined militants only three days ago.

A police official said that army laid a siege around appleorchards sprawling over a vast area between Parguchi and Khurampora villagesfollowing information about the presence of militants.

   

“As the forces neared a suspected spot, the hidingmilitants opened fire. The forces returned the fire, killing two militants,”the police official said.

The official identified the slain militants as Bilal AhmadBhat son of HabibullahBhat of Keegam, Shopian, and Rahil Rashid Sheikh son ofAbdul Rashid Sheikh of Nunar in Ganderbal district.

Sheikh, an engineering graduate, had signed up for theHizbul Mujahidin militant outfit on April 3. According to local residents, hewas pursuing M. Tech from Chandigarh before joining militants.

The bodies of the slain militants were yet to be handed overto their families at the time of filing this report.

Reinforcement was rushed to the area of encounter and acordon and search operation was launched in adjoining Losdanew village insearch of more militants, an official said.

He said that while the operation was in progress, localyouth came out of their homes and pelted the government forces with stones. Theforces fired tear smoke shells on the protesting youth.

IRFAN RAINA ADDS FROM GANDERBAL:

As the news about the killing of Rahil Rashid Sheikh reachedhis village, many residents took to streets and held strong protestdemonstrations, raising pro-freedom slogans.

The family members of the slain militant have rushed toShopain to receive the body.

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