Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 8: Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) including a foreigner were killed and five security forces personnel were injured in a gunfight in Mujgund area on the outskirts of Srinagar today.
The gunfight broke out this evening after the security forces including 55 RR of Army, Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search-operation (CASO) in Ghat Mohalla of Mujgund after inputs about the presence of three militants in the area.
The gunfight ensued after the militants hiding in a house fired at the security forces during the searches by the security force personnel.
Two security force personnel were injured in the gunfight. Four houses were blasted by the security forces during the gunfight. Huge sound of blasts were heard in the area till 9:30 pm during which three houses were damaged.
Clashes erupted near the gunfight site after locals staged protests and tried to disrupt the operation but police fired tear gas to disperse them.
A senior security official identified the two killed militants as Ali Bhai of Pakistan and Mudasir Ahmad of Hajin area of Bandipora district. Ali Bhai was operating in Hajin area of Bandipora for last one year and was wanted by security forces in several militancy related incidents.
Mudasir was missing from his home since August this year and there were reports that he had joined militancy. His picture of joining LeT appeared last week on the social media.
Around 235 militants were killed so far this year, while 240 militants, including foreigners, are active in Kashmir valley. This is the highest number of militants killed in a decade. Last time, over 500 militants were killed in 2008 which is highest in the decade.
On the other hand, the recruitment of militants has also gone up and this year 186 youth have joined militancy which is highest in the recent years. Last year 119 Kashmiri youth joined militancy.
The infiltration of militants has also gone up and in the first 10 months 124 militants infiltrated into Kashmir which last year 123 infiltrated.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
