Security forces on Friday killed two militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) in an encounter in the dense forests of Kishtwar district of Jammu division.
The slain have been identified as Basharat Hussain son ofGhulam Qadir Gainoo and Ashiq Hussain son of Bashir Ahmed, both residents ofvillage Tander, Dachhan, in Kishtwar.
Police said the two had killed a Special Police Officer withan axe and injured another in Dachhan Kishtwar three days ago and fled withtheir rifles.
The police, army and CRPF had launched an operation inTander, Dachhan, to nab the attackers.
Police said contact was established with the militants atSauder village today and they opened fire on the search parties.
“The area was cordoned off immediately, and an encounterbroke out. During the exchange of gunfire, the two militants were killed. Thesecurity forces have recovered one AK 47 and one INSAS rifle from the slainmilitants,” a police official said.
“Attempt by the Hizbul Mujahideen to revive militantactivities in Chenab Valley has been foiled,” IGP Jammu Mukesh Singh said.
2 militants killed in Shopian encounter:
Two militants were killed in a gunfight with security forcesin Keegam area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.
Police said the duo remains unidentified, however, familiesof two local militants have come forward claiming the slain were their kin.
A police official said that on a specific information,army’s 44 RR, special operation group of police and CRPF cordoned Dairoovillage in Keegam last night.
“In the wee hours, as the security forces zeroed in towardsthe house where the the militants had taken shelter, they were fired upon. Thefire was retaliated, triggering an encounter,” a police official said.
He said the heavy exchange of fire continued for a fewhours, after which the militants made a bid to escape.
“The security forces, however, shot them down,” the policeofficial said.
He said that bodies of two militants were retrieved andtaken to police control Srinagar.
IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, told the Greater Kashmir that thebodies are yet to be identified.
“So far no family has turned up (to claim the bodies),” hesaid.
IGP said that if any family claims the bodies, medico-legalformalities will be done first.
“If the DNA samples of any family match those with the slainthe bodies will be handed over to them,” he said.
Two families in Shopian have claimed that the slain weretheir sons.
The families identified them as Asif Dar of Bongam and RahilHameed Magray of Ganawpora, both affiliated to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.
“I received a call at around 4:50 am from my brother sayinghe is trapped in Dairoo,” Asif’s brother Rafiq Dar said. He said that heinformed the police about the same as the encounter concluded.
“I along with other family members went to the policestation for identification, but was not allowed in,” Dar said.
He said that they later learned that the bodies have beentaken to PCR Srinagar and might be taken to north Kashmir for burial.
“My brother was pursuing BA when he joined the militantranks early last year,” said Dar.
Magray family of Ganawpora made similar claims about theirson Rahil Hameed.