Militant from Sopore killed in Shopian gunfight

Shopian: A militant was killed in a gunfight with the government forces in Amshipora-Ramnagri area in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday morning.
A police spokesperson said that on the basis of credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched on Friday morning at Ram Nagri area of Herpora in district Shopian of South Kashmir.
“During the search operation, the hiding militants fired upon the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to a brief exchange of fire,” said the spokesperson.
“In the brief exchange of fire, one militant was killed who was later identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Umar son of Mushtaq Ahmad resident of Model Town-B, Sopore,” he said.
“According to the Police records, Ishfaq had a long history of crime records and was initially affiliated with militant outfit HuM. He along with his other militant associates were involved in a series of crimes including grenade attacks on CRPF bunker at Safa Kadal, Soura and Police Station Khanyar. He was also part of groups which had carried out attacks on security establishments in the area,” he added.
“Ishfaq was subsequently arrested and after his release on bail, he again got recycled and joined the ranks last year in 2018,” said the spokesman.
“Ishfaq, as per the police records, after getting recycled again got involved in planning and executing attacks. He was also involved in attacks on security establishments for which several cases were registered against him. As such he was wanted by law for his complicity in a series of incidents,” he said.
“Incriminating material including arms and ammunition has been recovered from the slain militant,” he added.