Srinagar: The Police Wednesday said that three local militants were killed in an overnight encounter in Sugan area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.
“Three militants have been killed in an overnight encounter that broke out between militants and government forces yesterday in Sugan village of Shopian after forces received credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area. However due to darkness, the anti-militancy operation was halted on Tuesday evening which was resumed on Wednesday wee hours,” the police said.
An official said that a joint team of army’s 44 RR, CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) in the area following the presence of militants in the area.
Soon after the joint search party, according to officials, surrounded the suspected spot militants hiding in the area fired upon indiscriminately which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
He added during the encounter three militants were killed with the culmination of encounter in the area who were identified as Sajad Ahmad Malla of Shopian, Junaid Rashid of Tumlahal Pulwama and Mehraj-ud-Din of Arigam Pulwama.
A police officer told KINS that two among the slain militants were associated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen while another was part of Al-Badr.
He said during exchange of fire, militants were given multiple chances to surrender which they refused and were killed in a retaliatory fire.
Soon after the encounter ended, several youth took to streets and pelted stones upon forces personnel who fired several tear smoke canisters to disperse them.
Local reports said that at least three pellet injured youth have been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for specialized treatment.
Authorities also snapped 2G mobile internet connectivity in the area as a “precautionary measure” to maintain law and order.(KINS)