2 militants killed in Sopore gunfight

Srinagar: Two foreign militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were killed in an fierce encounter between militants and government forces in Arampora Sopore of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday.
Jammu and Kashmir police said that acting on specific information about presence of militants, Sopore police along with 22 RR and CRPF condoned of Mohalla Teeliyan of Arampora Sopore on Thursday morning.
“While the searches were going on, militants hiding in a house lobbed grenade on the search party. The fire was returned by troops, triggering an encounter. In ensuing gunfight two Jaish militants belonging to Pakistan were killed,” police said.
Reports said that civilians in nearby houses were evacuated by the government forces during the gunfight.
Sector Commander 5 sector of RR, Brigadier V Hari Haran told reporters that operation was launched after inputs about the presence of two foreign militants in Mohalla Teeliyan of Sopore.
“In the joint operation, we were successful in eliminating both the militants. We also ensured that no civilian casualty happens and no one is injured. Police will ascertain the identity of the militants,” Brigadier Hari Haran said.
Sopore police, later on identified the two slain militants as Ali alias Saifullah alias Athar and Umer alias Zia-ur-Rehman, both residents of Pakistan.
Ali, according to police was mastermind behind the Sopore IED blast in which four policemen were killed on January, 06, 2018.
“A case FIR NO. 254/2018 U/S 307/RPC, 7/27 Arms Act was registered in police station Sopore and investigation has been taken up,” police said.
“Both the militants were active for quite sometime and involved in various incidents of civilian killings and throwing of grenades including case FIR. 37/15 P/S Bomai, FIR 55/15 & 13/17 P/S Dangiwacha, FIR 283/16, 143/17 & 07/18 P/S Sopore.”
Police said that arms and ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain militants.
Upon being asked that Aadhar cards have also been retrieved from the possession of slain militants, SSP Sopore Javid Iqbal said, “Preliminary reports suggest that both the militants were Pakistani. These aadhar cards look like fake. However we are further investigating the case.”
The Aadhaar cards list the name of militants as Sahil Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar, a resident of Darpora Kupwara and Mohammad Yaseen son of Mohammad Sultan Khan, a resident of Dedhkot, Kupwara.
Top police sources however said that they are trying to ascertain the veracity of the Aadhar cards.
“We are investigating whether the cards have been forged or if the militants have actually managed to get the Aadhaar cards. If proven genuine then it is a serious issue,” police sources said.
Following the encounter, a complete shutdown was observed in Sopore town and authorities ordered closure of all educational institutions. Internet services were also blocked in entire police district Sopore.