Terrorist killed in Shopian encounter; toll rises to two

STATE TIMES NEWS

Srinagar: A terrorist was killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district, taking the death toll of ultras in the operation to two, police said on Saturday.
“One more terrorist has been killed in fresh exchange of fire with security forces in Shopian today. The number of terrorists killed in the operation now stands at two,” a police official said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Kanigam area on Friday following information about the presence of terrorists in the area, the official said.
He said as the forces were conducting the searches, terrorists fired upon them.
The forces retaliated, resulting an encounter, the official said.
In the exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed last night, the official said, adding two soldiers were also injured in the gunbattle. The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists was being ascertained.
A police spokesperson said that during the wee hours, the terrorists were appealed to surrender, however they turned down the appeal and started firing indiscriminately. In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Owais Farooq resident of Kadlabal Awantipora and Asif Lone resident of Turkwangam Shopian affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Al Badr.
As per police records, both the killed terrorists were part of the group involved in several terrorist activities including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities. Besides, several terror crime cases were registered against Asif Lone including case FIR No. 98/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to attack on Army Naka party at Trenz Shopian on 07/12/2020 & FIR No. 153/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to pasting of posters whereby general public was threatened to keep away from recently concluded DDC elections.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.
“The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting their medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites”, a handout added.
In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.