Army Comdr reviews situation
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 28: A militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was killed in a brief shootout with security forces in Rinzipora area of Awantipora in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district today while Northern Army Commander arrived in Kashmir and reviewed security situation in the Valley.
Militants fired upon an Army patrolling party of 55 RR in Rinzipora area of South Kashmir’s Awantipora today. The Army retaliated, triggering a brief shootout in which one militant was killed.
Sources said that militants, believed to be three in number, attacked a patrolling party today morning. The two other militants managed to escape from the spot.
The slain militant has been identified as Ishfaq Yousf Wani son of Mohammad Yousuf Wani of Koil village of Pulwama. A 26 year old Masters in Business Administration (MBA) Ishfaq Ahmad Wani joined militancy in July this year.
Wani is seen holding a gun in a picture that has surface on social media, showing that he has joined the militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba. He did MBA in 2015, and worked in ICICI Bank for one year. He later quit the job to start his own fruit business.
Meanwhile, youth took to streets and hurled stones on the security forces deployed in the town soon after the news of killing of Wani. Security forces fired tear gas, triggering further clashes. Large number of people attended the funeral of Wani at his native Koil village of Pulwama.
Banihal-Srinagar train services were suspended by the authorities following the killing of the militant. “The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent loss to the railway property”, a Railway official said.
Militants tonight fired at the camp of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)’s 183rd battalion at Bellow in Pulwama. The CRPF retaliated and conducted searches of the area but militants had fled.
And in the meantime, the Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh arrived in Kashmir today to review the prevailing security situation.
Accompanied by the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt, the Army Commander visited the forward areas in the frontier districts of Kupwara and Baramulla, where the Army Commander was briefed by the Commanders on ground on the operational preparedness of the troops.
“During his interaction with the troops, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh lauded their professionalism, sharp vigil along the Line of Control and high morale and exhorted them to remain alert for any eventuality”, a Defence Ministry spokesman said here.
“Later in the day, the Army Commander visited hinterland formations and was briefed about the current situation and recent counter terrorist operations. The Army Commander complimented the troops for their remarkable successes and also commended them for their dedication to duty. Lauding the excellent synergy amongst all the security forces, he asked all ranks to maintain a safe, secure and peaceful environment in Kashmir”, the statement added.
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