Encounters on rise in Ramadan: 3 militants killed in Pulwama, one in Sopore

Srinagar: In the fasting month of Ramadhan, encounters between government forces and the militants showed a steep rise with as many as 12 militants getting killed in six gunfights in south and north Kashmir. The north Kashmir, however, registered only one encounter resulting in the killing of one militant, officials said.
The gunfight started on Saturday in Panzgam area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. According to police spokesman, acting swiftly on the credible lead, joint teams of security forces that include army’s 55 RR and special operations group of police cordoned off the Bonpora, Panzgam village of Pulwama.
“In the initial exchange of gunfight, one militant was gunned down and as the encounter was taken into an advanced stage, two more militants were killed,” a senior police officer said. He said that the operation was conducted in most professional manner and there was no collateral damage.
A police spokesman said identified the three slain militants as the members of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit—Shokat Dar of Panzgam, Irfan War of Wadoora, Sopore, and Muzaffar Sheikh of Tahab, Pulwama. Soon after the Panzgam encounter, a siege was laid at Dehruna village of Anantnag district.
However, after initial exchange of fire, militants managed to flee. However, another encounter broke out in Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
A police officer said acting on a specific human intelligence, a cordon was laid at village Hathlangoo, Sopore. “As the suspected house was zeroed in, the hiding militant opened fire resulting in an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight, a militant was killed,” the police said.
“It was a clean operation and no collateral damage took place in the gunfight.” The slain militant was identified as Waseem Sheikh, a resident of Barsoo, Awantipora.
Ever since the first shoot-out on May 10 at Shopian, in which an ISJK militant Ishfaq Sofi was killed, there has been no let up in the encounters even though the South Kashmir districts witnessed five encounters while north Kashmir witnessed one encounter at Sopore Saturday.
In total six encounters, 12 militants were killed in just eight days, which is highest since 2017 Ramadhan. In 2018, no militant was killed due to the Non Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO).
Security officials said that stepped up human and technical intelligence was major reason for the clean anti-militancy operations. “Of late, human and technical intelligence has increased manifold. We are getting very accurate information about the presence and the movement of militants.
Operations are being carried out in a way that no collateral damage takes place or the prayers or religious gatherings of people in view of fasting month doesn’t get affected,” a senior official revealed.