Top commander among 5 militants killed in twin encounters in Kulgam areas

Kulgam: Five militants including a top commander were on Wednesday killed in two separate gunfights in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, police said. Two encounters broke out in Pombay and Gopalpora areas of Kulgam district.
A senior police officer said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 09 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the Pombay and Gopalpora villages. “Two villages are located at a distance of just one kilometre,” he said.
The official said that as the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which retaliated, triggering an encounter.
“First contact was established with militants in Pombay and later in Gopalpora. In the ensuing encounters, three militants were killed in Pombay and two militants were killed in Gopalpora,” the official said, adding that all five militants are believed to be locals while their identity is being ascertained.
Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that TRF commander Afaq Sikandar is among two militants killed in Gopalpora.
“Gopalpora encounter update: Militant Commander of proscribed militant outfit TRF Afaq Sikander killed in #encounter: IGP Kashmir,” tweeted Kashmir zone police