JeM militant killed in Kupwara encounter, schools closed, internet suspended

Baramulla: A Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant was on Thursday killed in an encounter, which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Handwara, frontier district of Kupwara.
Meanwhile, the authorities today ordered closure of the High and Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) in Langate and nearby areas as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem.
A police spokesperson said following specific information about presence of militants, a CASO was launched by troops of Rashitriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police at Yaroo, Handwara, in north Kashmir district of Kupwara last evening.
“All exit points were sealed and house to house searches was launched,” he said, adding that when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.
However, operation was suspended during the night to avoid any casualties, he said, adding with the first light this morning security forces resumed operation.
Security forces again came under fire from militants, he said, adding the fire was returned and in the ensuing gunfight a militant was killed. “The slain militant has been identified as Danish Ahmad Dar, a resident of Sopore,” he said.
He said the killed militant was affiliated with proscribed militant outfit JeM and was wanted by the law for his complicity in a series of militant attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities.
“Incriminating materials including rifle and grenades were recovered from the site of encounter. All these materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror cases,” he said.
“Citizens are once again requested 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,” he added.
Meanwhile, internet services were also suspended in Kupwara for security reasons.