Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 20: One militant was killed while at least three others were trapped in a village in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district today and security forces arrested three Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants from Sopore area of Baramulla district.
Security forces including Police, Army’s 34 RR and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Likhdipora in district Kulgam this morning after inputs about presence of at least 4 militants in the village.
As the troops approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them triggering an encounter. So far, one unidentified militant was killed and his body was retrieved.
The operation was put on hold for the night and would be resumed at the first light. The official said that at least three militants are still hiding in the village.
Eight militants were killed in two separate encounters in South Kashmir yesterday. With today’s killing of one militant, the number of militants killed this year has gone up to 103. Out of these, 50 belonged to Hizb and 20 were each from Lashkar and Jaish. Remaining belonged to Ansaar Gazwatul Hind and Al-Badr. Click here to watch video
The killed militants include over a half dozen top commanders of various militant outfits including operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Riyaz Naikoo.
IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, told Excelsior that South Kashmir will be made militancy free by the end of next week and the focus of the security forces will be North Kashmir by next month.
In the meantime, police in Sopore arrested three OGWs of militants in the town and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
Reports said that today, police, 22 and 52 RR of Army and 179 and 92 battalions of CRPF launched a joint operation at Bomie in Tarzoo area of Sopore and arrested three OGWs of LeT.
They have been identified as Shabir Ahmed Mir alias Molvi son of Mohammad Sultan Mir of Brath Kalan Sopore, Mohamamd Abbas Mir son of Abdul Rashid Mir of Brath Kalan, Sopore and Fahim Nabi Bhat alias Doctor son of Ghulam Nabi Bhat of Tarzoo Sopore.
Police said that incriminating material including one Chinese pistol, two magazines and 73 pistol rounds were recovered from their possession.
Police have registered a case in Police Station Bomie and investigation has been taken up.
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