2 LeT militants killed in Budgam gunfight, Woman injured in clashes in Pampore

Budgam: Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed while an Army man was injured in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Zagoo area of Khansahib in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
A top police officer said that the two militants who were affiliated with LeT were killed Thursday in Budgam encounter who were later identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Khan, son of Abdul Ahad Khan of Brass Arizal Budgam and Mohd Amin Mir, son of Ghulam Rasool Mir of Drangbal Pampore.
The two bodies along with arms and ammunition were recovered from the gunfight site, police said, adding that both the slain militants were involved in a series of attacks on security establishments in the area.
“Mukhtar was involved in case FIR No 37/2018 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 16/18 ULAP Act dated 25.03.2018 in Budgam while as Mohd Amin was involved in case FIR No 75/2018 under section 18/20/30 ULAP Act at PS Pampore,” police said.
Police further added that one Army man was also injured during the gunfight who was evacuated to hospital for medical attention. “He is stated to be stable. Police has registered a case and investigation has started,” police said.
Meanwhile, police urged the locals not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any,” police said.
Meanwhile, reports said that clashes erupted between youth and forces in Namblabal area of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district following the killing of a local militant in Budgam encounter.
Reports quoting eye witness said that people, mostly youth, took to streets and pelted the forces with stones as the news of a local militant, Mohd Amin Mir of Drangbal Pampore spread.
During the clashes, a woman sustained injured after being hit by the stone on her head. She was shifted to a nearest hospital for treatment, reports said. The protesters also blocked Srinagar-Jammu highway near Namblabal while as the entire area observed a complete shutdown.
Meanwhile, the authorities suspended the mobile internet services in Budgam district after the gunfight broke out in Zagoo area and restored it late in the evening.
Meanwhile, thousands of people in this afternoon participated in the funeral prayers of a local militant Mukhtar Ahmad in Arizal village of Budgam.
The locals in large number converged to attend the funeral prayers of a militant and were seen chanting slogans in favour of freedom. The slain militant was later laid to rest at his native village, reports said.