2 militants, Woman killed in 22 hour long Shopian gun battle

Shopian: Two militants were killed in a gun fight while a lady died in post encounter clashes in South Kashmir’s Shopian district. Meanwhile Lashkar e Toiba has paid tributes to slain militants and the woman killed during the gun battle.
The gunfight started on Monday evening after government forces launched an operation in Batmuran village of the district.
Shortly after 44 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army, CRPF and SOG of Jammu Kashmir Police cordoned off the area, locals hit to roads and clashed with them to disrupt the operation against militants.
The exchange of intermittent firing continued whole night while during wee hours; the Government Forces planted an explosive device in the house and blasted it.
Jammu Kashmir Police Chief Sheshpal Ved said that two bodies of militants were recovered from the encounter site while Deputy Inspector General of Police for South Kashmir Range SP Pani said that one of the killed militant was a local. He claimed that the lady died in cross firing between militants and the government forces.
During the whole operation, locals pelted stones on Forces who responded with bullets, pellets and tear smoke shells. Over a dozen people were injured in Forces action. A lady whom locals identified as Rubeena Jan daughter of Abdul Rashid was hit by a bullet in her abdomen. She was shifted to hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.
At least five persons were hit by bullets and were shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment. The bullet hit youth were identified as Ajaz Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Muhammad of Batapora, Jahangir Ahmed Wani son of Ali Muhammad, a resident of Wathoo, Feroz Ahmed Lone son of Abdul Rehman of Ganapora, Farooq Ahmed Ganai son of Muhammad Abdullah and Showkat Ahmed Paswal son of Nazir Ahmed, both residents of Bhattipora Shopian.
Eyewitness said that at least 8 persons with pellet injuries were admitted in the hospital.
The locals according to reports staged massive pro-freedom protest protests in and around the encounter site.
As per local sources, the militants were trapped in the house of one Muhammad Yakub. Locals alleged that Government Forces used mortar shells extensively resulting in the damage of at least six residential houses and two cow sheds. Property worth crores was damaged during the 22 hours long gun battle.
A police official identified the slain militants as Tanveer Ahmad from Batmuran Shopian and Ali alias Qari of Pakistan.
Militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has paid their tribute to the slain Divisional Commander of Jaish-e-Muhammad, Tanveer Ahmed Bhat, Noman and sister Rubi Jan.
In a statement to local news gathering agency CNS, Mehmood Shah, the LeT Chief said that such sacrifices promise glad tidings for the freedom. “It is evident to the claim that not only do the sons but the daughters also have rendered sacrifices against Indian rule. India cannot maintain its illegal occupation against such passions,” he said.
He said that It is not only for India but for the whole world to see that a nation stands united with freedom fighters against Indian aggression.
He praised the freedom fighters for fighting a 22-hour long encounter with Indian forces despite insufficiency of supplies and said that: “it is the unmatched skill of freedom fighters and an example of weakness for Indian forces.”
Mahmood Shah strongly condemned the injuries to innocent civilians caused by Indian Forces and the damage of property. He attributed such sick acts as an end to their times.
The LeT Chief thanked the public for their immense support to freedom fighters and said that such love, affection and support is of pivotal importance and blessing for us. “The public and freedom Fighters stand on the same consensus and position,” he added.