2 locals militants killed in Sopore gunfight, thousands attend funeral prayers

Sopore: Two local militants were killed in an overnight gunfight in North Kashmir’s Sopore town of district Baramulla.
A police official said that based on credible inputs about the presence of terrorists in Brath Kalan area of Sopore, a search operation was launched by joint Forces in the area on Wednesday evening.
“As the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the hiding militants. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight.”
“In the ensuing encounter, two militants were neutralized and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.”
“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter.”
The slain militants were identified as Owais Ahmed Bhat of Brath and Tahir Ahmed Dar of Warpora Sopore.
Meanwhile, internet service was snapped in Sopore town. Reports said that amid restrictions a large number of people rushed to encounter site and subsequently visited the houses of slain militants. Witnesses said that thousands of mourners participated in the last rites of these militants. Mourners chanted pro-freedom and pro-Islam slogans.
Meanwhile, militant outfit Tehreek-ul-Mujhadeen in a statement said that both the slain militants were affiliated with them. “The slain militants fought valiantly and inflicted casualties on government forces,” the spokesperson said adding that a couple of militants managed to escape from the encounter spot.