Srinagar: Two unidentified militants were killed in an ongoing anti-terror operation with security forces in the Hyderpora area of Srinagar, while searches continued till late night. A Tweet from Kashmir Zone Police quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the house owner who was injured in “terrorist fire”, succumbed to his injuries.
“SrinagarEncounterUpdate: The house owner who was injured in terrorist fire, succumbed to his injuries. Terrorists have been hiding on top floor of his building. As per source and digital evidence, he has been working as terror associate. Search is still going on: IGP Kashmir,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a Tweet.
Earlier police said that two militants were killed. “SrinagarEncounterUpdate: 01 more unidentified terrorist killed (Total 2). Operation going on. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” police Tweeted late on Monday after two militants were killed in the area.
The encounter started on Monday evening after Jammu and Kashmir Police, 2 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF cordoned off the area near Hyderpora flyover after inputs of presence of militant/militants in the area. “As the area was being cordoned, there was volley of fire from hiding militants,” a senior police officer said here. “The fire was retaliated which resulted in killing of an unidentified militant.”
“Encounter has started at Hyderpora Srinagar. Police & Security Forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police, Tweeted soon after the encounter broke out.
In the initial firefight, police said an unidentified militant was killed. “SrinagarEncounterUpdate: 01 unidentified terrorist killed. Operation going on. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” police said in a Tweet.
“Vast area has been cordoned off and search for remaining in the area is underway,” the senior police officer said. “His accomplice might be there.”
The incident led to disruption of traffic on busy Bypass. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded on the road when this report was being filed. The traffic was diverted from other routes and a large number of security forces arrived at the spot.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar also arrived at the spot to monitor the operation. Senior officers of Army and paramilitary forces arrived at the spot. “The operation is being carried out with much caution and civilians around the encounter site are being evacuated,” the senior police officer said adding that a cordon has been aligned in the area.
The encounter took place 24 hours after a policeman was injured in firing by the militants on a raiding party of police in Nawakadal area of old Srinagar. The condition of the policeman is said to be stable. This was the second instance of a targeted attack on police officials in Kashmir in last about fortnight . Earlier this week, a 29-year-old policeman was shot dead by terrorists in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar.
Monday’s encounter that took place around the Bypass road is the second one this week. Earlier on Friday (Nov 12) one militant was killed in Bemina area of Srinagar. Police had said that the militant was killed after he opened fire on security forces on a checkpoint in the area and he was killed in retaliatory fire.
Srinagar is witnessing heightened security as the city has been recording a spike in incidents of targeted attacks. Last month, at least 11 civilians, mostly workers from other states and those belonging to minority community, were killed in Kashmir.
It needs to be mentioned here that since about a month the security apparatus in Srinagar are alert after a spike in terror attacks. Over the past few weeks Srinagar city, witnessed a spike in terror attacks. In these attacks victims were shot dead from point blank range mostly with pistols. Security establishments say these attacks are being carried out by hybrid terrorists.
Joint parties of J&K police and Central Reserve Police Force are carrying out random search operation in city. During these operation searches are being carried out .