Researcher turned militant among 2 Hizb men killed in a Nowgam gunfight in Srinagar

Srinagar: Researcher turned militants Sabzar Ahmad Sofi was among two Hizb militants killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Wanbal are of Nowgam in the outskirts of Srinagar, police said.
The forces in the outskirts of Srinagar launched a cordon and search operation Wednesday morning based on credible input about the presence of the militants, police said, adding that during search operation, militants fired upon the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Swayam Prakash Pani said two militants were killed in Nowgam gunfight, saying that the encounter site was being cleared. He said there was no collateral damage in the operation.
Police said that the two killed militants were identified as Sabzar Ahmad Sofi and Asif Ahmad Shergojiri. Both were affiliated with Hizb Ul Mujahideen militant outfit. Earlier, police had appealed people not to enter the gunfight site as such an area can prove dangerous due to un-cleared, appealing people to cooperate with police till area will be sanitized.
“In reference to Nowgam encounter, citizens are requested not to enter the encounter site as such an area can prove dangerous due to uncleared explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized,” Kashmir one Police tweeted.
Police in a statement said Sabzar Ahmad Sofi, son of Bashir Ahmad Sofi of Naina Sangam in district Anantnag had joined militant ranks in year 2016 and was involved in several attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities in district Anantnag.
“He was involved in many terror cases including FIR No. 22/2018 under section 13 ULAP Act at Police Station Bijbehara. Sabzar Ahmad was involved in killing of one civilian lady namely Biba wife of Mohammad Yousuf Matto of Naina Batapora in the evening of 28-10-2016,” police said.
Police spokesman said that Asif Ahmad Shergojiri alias Khubaib, son of Ali Mohammad Shergojiri of Khiram Anantnag had joined the militant ranks this year in January and was actively involved in attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities in the area.
“He was involved in many terror cases and the prominent cases include FIR No. 04/2018 under section 13 ULAP Act registered at Police Station Srigufwara and FIR No. 15/2018 under section 15/2018 under section 451, 392,506 RPC, 7/25 Arms Act registered at Police Station Srigufwara,” he said.
Police said that incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. “Police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated,” the statement added. After wrapping up the operation, recovering the dead bodies of the militants and Arms and ammunition, the operational parties took security precautions with regard to sanitization of the area, police said.
Clashes also broke out between youth and forces near the gunfight site in Nowgam here. Witnesses said that the youth took to streets and threw stones at police and paramilitary trooper deployed around the gunfight site, who in retaliation used tear gas canisters to disperse the agitating youth.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of slain militant Dr Sabzar Sofi The funeral of Sabzar was held just few hundred meters on Srinagar-Jammu highway in which people in large number participated and chanted pro-freedom slogans, reports said, adding that scores of militants also appeared in the funeral prayer of Sabzar and offered him a gun salute at his native Sangam area of Bijbehara in south Kashmir.
Clashes also broke out in Sangam area in this morning after the news about Sabzar’s death spread. Several protesters were injured in the clashes, reports said.
Meanwhile, soon after the gunfight ended, the district administration Srinagar ordered closure of schools and colleges for a day.
As a precautionary measure, the class work at all the schools and colleges in Srinagar has been suspended for a day, officials said.
Besides, in view of the prevailing situation, the class work at Kashmir University also remained suspended on the orders of varsity officials. The decision has been taken to avoid law and order situation in the varsity, said a spokesman.
Meanwhile, the mobile internet services in Srinagar were suspended on this morning soon after the gunfight broke out between forces and militants in Nowgam area of Srinagar. The cellular companies suspended the mobile internet services here in view of security reasons. Earlier on Tuesday, the mobile internet speed was reduced to 2g, which was restored later in the evening.