3 militants killed in 2 gunfights in Shopian, Handwara

Srinagar: One unidentified militant was killed in South Kashmir Shopian district and one LeT commander was among two militants killed in a brief encounter in Handwara area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district at Ganapora, Kralgund area of Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
An official said a militant was killed in an encounter that broke out Wednesday afternoon. The official said that acting on a tip-off a joint team of Police, 44 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area. “As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated triggering an encounter,” the official said, adding that “one militant was killed in the initial firing.”He said after extensive searches, no other militant was found in the area after which the operation was called off
Meanwhile in late evening hours on Wednesday an officials said two militants including a Lashkar commander Naseer-u-Din Lone were killed in a brief exchange of fire.He said that a combined search operation was earlier launched in the area after specific inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that joint operation was launched today late evening in the orchards of Ganipora. “Cordon was laid and contact established. Firefight ensued. Two militants were killed in the gunfight, Joint operation in progress,” Colonel Kalia said.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar in a tweet said “Handwara encounter update: LeT commander Naseer-u-Din Lone, who was involved in the killing of three CRPF jawans at Sopore on May 4 this year, got killed.” This was the second encounter in the day. Earlier, one unidentified militant was killed in an encounter South Kashmir’s Shopian district