2 militants, army major, soldier killed in South Kashmir encounters

• Aaqib involved in the attack on cash van of JK Bank: Police
• Hizb claims responsibility of Shopian attack, tributes slain militants

Anantnag/Pulwama: Authorities imposed restrictions amid complete shutdown in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district after the killing of two local militants in an ambush at Gopoapora village, five kilometers away from the district headquarters. In yet another encounter in adjoining Shopian district two army men, including an officer, were killed while another soldier was injured after militants ambushed an army patrol party. Meanwhile Hizb Ul Mujahideen militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack and tribute the slain militants.
Reports reaching here from Kulgam said two militants were killed after police and army laid a joint ambush in Gopalpora village of Damhal-Hanjipora area of the district Midnight Wednesday.
Police identified the two slain militants as Aqib Ahmed Itoo son of Abdul Hamid, a resident of Gopalpora and Suhail Ahmed Rather son of Muhammad Arif of Tatntraypora Yaripora.
Aqib had joined militancy in September 2106 while Suhail had fled from his home some 4 months ago.
Thousands of people participated in the last rites of these militants while mourners raised high pitched pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
The killing of the militants sparked spontaneous shutdown while authorities as a precautionary measure suspended internet service across South Kashmir. Restrictions were imposed in parts of Kulgam while all shops and business establishments remained closed.
Reports said that a complete shutdown was observed across South Kashmir against the killing of militants. Shutdown was observed Pulwama, Tral, Pampore, Tahab, Shopian, Anantnag, Awantipora and other parts of the South Kashmir.
Witnesses said a group of armed militants appeared in the funeral of Suhail Ahmed and fired few gun shots as a mark of respect for the departed militants.
Police issued a handout stating that two HM militants were killed in an encounter with police and security forces in Gopalpora area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam District, last night.
“Acting on a specific information, a search operation was launched by a joint team of Kulgam Police, 09 RR, 62 RR and 18 Bn CRPF in village Gopalpora in the jurisdiction of Police Station D.H Pora, Kulgam. During the search operation militants present in the area fired upon the search party, ensuing an encounter. Two militants were killed in this encounter. The slain militants were identified as Aaqib Ahmad Itoo son of Abdul Hamid Itoo resident of Gopalpora and Suhail Ahmad Rather son of Mohammad Arif Rather resident of Tantraypora Yaripora.”
“One INSAS rifle, 01 AK rifle and 02 magazines were recovered from the encounter site.”
“Both the militants were involved in unlawful and anti national activities”.
Police in a statement issued here on Thursday said Aaqib was involved in the attack on cash van of J&K Bank at Pombai in which five policemen were killed and two civilians lost their lives. He was also involved in attack on a policeman at Yaripora in which the said policeman achieved martyrdom. “Aaqib was involved in many cases including bank robbery at J&K Bank branch Kader and weapon snatching from Adijan minority guard,” the statement said.
Police statement further reads “Suhail was involved in instigating people and firing indiscriminately upon security personnel from mob. A number of FIR’s were already lodged against these militants in different Police Stations”
In yet another encounter in Shopian district two army men, including an officer, were killed while another soldier was injured after militants ambushed an army patrol party in Shopian district of south Kashmir early Thursday.
An official said that militants attacked a joint team of army’s 62 RR, SOG and CRPF patrol in Zaipora village early Thursday.
Police sources said that militants had laid an ambush at Zaipora and as soon as army vehicles reached on spot, they fired indiscriminately wounding at least three soldiers including Major Kamlesh Pandey.
The wounded soldiers were immediately rushed to 92 base Army hospital where two soldiers including Major Kamlesh Pandey succumbed to their injuries. The soldier who lost his life was identified as Tenzin Chultin. The wounded soldier Kripal Singh has been undergoing treatment at Army hospital. (CNS)
Meanwhile local militant outfit Hizbul Mujhadeen has claimed the responsibility of Shopian attack in which two army men including Major Kamlesh Pandey were killed and another soldier was seriously injured.
Local vernacular news agency CNS quoted the outfit spokesperson Burhanuddin in a statement as saying that the attack was carried out near Zaipora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
“The valiant militants of our outfit laid an ambush and attacked an army party from all sides. Five Indian soldiers were killed and many others were injured. The militants managed to reach at their destinations safely after the daring attack,” Barhanuddin said.
He added that Hizb Commander Mehmood Ghaznavi has decided to reward the militants for carrying out such attack. “Such attacks will continue across Kashmir Valley,” he said.
Hizbul Mujhadeen has in another statement tributed two militants Suhail Ahmed and Aqib Ahmed who were killed in a gun fight in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen Chief Syed Salahuddin while addressing a meeting said that these militants were not only an asset to Hizb, but to whole Kashmir nation. “We can’t forget their sacrifices. Though their separation from us is a big loss but they have played their role and ‘Inshallah’ their sacrifices will lead this oppressed nation towards destination,” he said.
“The soil of Kashmir is painted with the sacred blood of these brave young Kashmiri militants. Their sacrifices will not go waste and one day people of Kashmir will witness the Sun of Freedom,” he said and hailed the role of people for protecting and loving the militants in field.