Srinagar: Two local militants were killed in an overnight encounter in North Kashmir’s Apple town Sopore. Militant outfits Hizb ul Mujahideen and Lashkar e Toiba have in separate statements to a local news gathering agency tributed the slain militants.
The encounter broke out at a Sopore hamlet Pazalpora where a few day’s back, suspected militants had target the army garrison with a grenade, inviting sharp reactions from Army stationed there who allegedly detained scores of labourers working in a query there at the camp and even some were allegedly tortured, a charge vehemently refuted by Srinagar based Defense Spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia.
Police in a statement issued here on Wednesday said that after receiving information about the presence of two local militants in a residential house, government Forces led by India’s anti-insurgency army wing Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off the Pazalpora village. However, an official said that the militants opened fire on the search party. “The fire was retaliated, triggering an encounter.”
After the initial exchange of fire between militants and the government forces, the firing had stopped while Forces blocked all the escape routes and used flood lights for clear visibility.
A local from the village said that firing resumed at around 3 in the morning. The gun shots reverberating in the atmosphere created panic in the adjacent villages.
A Government official said that operation was called off after the bodies of two militants were recovered from the spot of the encounter. The official while identifying the duo as Gulzar Ahmad of Brath Kalan Sopore and Basit Ahmad from Andergam Pattan said they belonged to indigenous militant organization Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.
Reports said that amid showers, thousands of mourners participated in the last rites of the slain miltants.
A police handout said that two HM militants including a district commander were killed in an encounter with police and security forces in Pazalpora area of Sopore.
“Acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in Pazalpora area of Sopore, Sopore police along with 22 RR, 179, 177, 92 Bn. CRPF & North Range QRT of CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area. During cordon and search operation militants present in the area fired upon the joint search party.”
“Although the holed up militants were asked to surrender through loud speakers and other possible means, but they denied to surrender. The militants continuously fired upon the joint search party, which was retaliated. During the retaliation, two HM militants were killed.”
The slain militants were identified as Gulzar Ahmad Lone alias Ibrahim, district commander of HM son of Ghulam Mohammad Lone resident of Gund Brath, Sopore and Basit Ahmad Mir alias Tahir son of Mohammad Ahsan Mir resident of Andergam Pattan.
02 AK 47 Rifles, 05 AK Magazines, 124 AK rounds, 02 Pouches and a Grenade were recovered from the encounter site.
Both the slain militants were involved in a number of militancy related cases in the jurisdiction of PD Sopore. They were involved in murder case of one Aijaz Ahmad Reshi of Mundji Sopore. They were also involved in murder case of Nazir Ahmad @Edu-l-Amin of Behrampora Sopore.
Gulzar Ahmad Lone was involved in Mobile Tower attacks and killing cases in the year 2015. His role was instrumental in instigating and luring the youth to join the HM outfit in Sopore.
Meanwhile, clashes erupted in Hajin area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district after forces cordoned off the Hajam mohalla.
Army’s 13 RR, CRPF and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir police cordoned off the Hajam mohalla after inputs about presence of three militants in the area.
Witnesses said that in a bid to disrupt the operation against the militants youth took to streets and hurled stones at the forces as the cordon were being laid.
“They (forces) responded by firing tear smoke shells, triggering clashes,” said a witness.
Reports said that militants took advantage of intense clashes and fled from the spot.
Meanwhile militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen has tribute the slain militants and reiterated that it will not allow the sacred blood of martyrs to go waste.
Hizb Operational Spokesperson Burhanuddin told local news gathering agency CNS over phone that the two slain militants- Gulzar Ahmad of Brath Kalan Sopore and Basit Ahmad from Andergam Pattan were top rank Mujhadeen who role in freedom struggle was exceptional.
“Their separation is painful. Operational Commander Mehmood Ghaznavi, Deputy Chief Commander Saifullah Khalid grieved the death of these two brave soldiers,” he said and added that struggle against Indian occupation will continue till desired goal is attained.
Another militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba has also paid tributes to the militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Abdul basit and Gulzar Lone who were killed in Pazalpora village of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Mehmood Shah, LeT Chief in a statement to local news gathering agency CNS said that Kashmiris are proud of their sons for it is because of them the struggle is progressing towards freedom. India is trying to spread anarchy in the Valley via its puppets and committing worse acts of barbarism. Even then the world players are not willing to declare India a terrorist state.
Mahmood Shah strictly condemned the shelling of security forces on Adil Mehmood’s home while saying that it is a shameful act for India to attack the unarmed household family members of martyrs. Declaring itself a democratic state is just a lie. These attacks justify India for their barbaric and cruel nature.
We warn the security forces to abstain from these shameful acts otherwise even bricks and stones of India would mourn their coward forces. We are the heir of Martyrs and we will not bear any tragedy or loss to the families of martyrs.
