Militants escape from Kulgam gun battle

Security personnel take position near the encounter site in Hadigam area of Kulgam district on Thursday.
Security personnel take position near the encounter site in Hadigam area of Kulgam district on Thursday.

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Jan 4: Militants managed to give slip to security forces after a brief exchange of fire in Hadigam area of Kulgam district and police in Budgam busted an Over Ground Workers module.
A police official said that after a brief exchange of fire yesterday, there was a complete lull.
“Due to darkness, the operation was suspended throughout the night. The search operation was resumed at the first light. During searches, no militant was found at the encounter site,” the official said.
He said that it seemed militants might have escaped during the initial exchange of fire taking advantage of the darkness.
Earlier last evening, a joint team of police and the Army launched a cordon and search operation in the area.
As the joint team of forces zeroed towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired on the joint team, which was retaliated, triggering off a gunfight.
In the meantime, police in Budgam dismantled a module comprising seven individuals from the Beerwah area. Click here to watch video
A police spokesman said that these individuals were involved in the dissemination of anti-national propaganda by affixing posters in and around the Beerwah area.
The arrested persons have been identified as Romain Rasool Sheikh, Irfan Nazir Sheikh, Rizwan Nazir Sheikh and Sahil Javid Sheikh, all residents of Bonet Beerwah, Jahangir Bashir Mir, Tariq Ashraf Sheikh, both residents of Utligam Beerwah and Shakir Lateef Pathan, resident of Gandhipora, Beerwah.
“The module was led by Romain Rasool Sheikh and Irfan Nazir Sheikh, who during investigation were found manipulated by a LeT’s Pakistani handler. It further emerged that the duo, acting as local motivators, instructed the other five individuals to carry out the assigned tasks. Incriminating evidence has been recovered from the apprehended persons. Investigation in the case is progressing,” spokesman said.