Two Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed in a brief shootout with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday morning. At least 20 civilians were injured in clashes with police that erupted after the killings.
The slain militants were identified as Shahjahan Mir son ofAbdul Hamid Mir of Amashipora, Shopian, and Abid Hussain Wagay son of AbdulHamid Wagay of Rawalpora, Shopian.
Shahjahan, according to police, had signed up forJaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit in September 2017, while Abid took up arms inSeptember 2018.
A police official said that teams of army, police and CRPFpersonnel cordoned apple orchards in Gahind village – some 11 kms from Shopiantown – following information about the presence of militants in the area andbegan a search operation.
“At around 7:20 a.m, militants hiding there opened firewhich was returned and the two militants were killed,” the police officialsaid.
A police spokesperson said the slain militants were involvedin the abduction and killings of policemen Balwant Singh, Firdose Ahmad andNisar Ahmad in 2018.
He said the slain duo was also involved in the recentkilling of Kushboo and also in killing of four policemen in Arhama village lastyear.
“They were also involved in the killing of policemanSaqib Mohidin and a boy Huzaif Ashraf Kuttay last year. Saqib was killed afterShahjahan attacked police station in Shopian.”
PROTESTS AND INJURIES:
Another police official said that as the word about thekilling of militants spread, many youths in Shopian town protested and peltedstones on police.
Police used tear smoke shells and pellets which causedinjuries to several youths.
A health official told Greater Kashmir that several personswith pellet injuries were brought to district hospital Shopian.
“Four of them were sent to SMHS Hospital Srinagar giventhe sensitive nature of their injuries,” the health official said.
Later in the afternoon, the bodies of the slain militantswere handed over to their families for burial.
Eyewitnesses said that militants surfaced during the funeralprayers and offered gun-salute.
Multiple rounds of funeral prayers were held for both thekilled militants in their native villages. Complete shutdown was observed inShopian district to mourn the killings of the militants.
Authorities blocked the cellular Internet services in thedistrict.