Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday claimed that the two militants killed in a gunfight with armed forces in Shopian were responsible for the killing of two bank guards on December 11.
A spokesman said they were involved in a number of violent incidents, including the recent attack on the vehicle of J&K Bank near Poju Shopian on 11th of December 2017 in which two bank guards were killed.
Giving details of the operation, he said that Shopian Police along with 44RR and 14 Bn CRPF cordoned a cluster of houses at village Bata Murran Shopian in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kellar following a tip-off.
He said that the militants opened fire while the cordon was being laid, ensuing an encounter. “The cordon was strengthened and the civilians of nearby area were evacuated,” said the spokesman.
“During the encounter, on the request of family, police made repeated announcement to convince one of the militants Tanveer to surrender, which he ignored,” he said.
The militants continued firing on the forces which was retaliated.
“Two JeM militants were killed in this encounter, who were identified as Tanveer Ahmad from Bata Murran Shopian and Ali Qari, a foreigner. Two AK rifles and other allied ammunition were recovered from the encounter site,” said the spokesman.
“Two security personnel which includes one jawan from 44 RR and a police personnel of Shopian Police were also injured during the encounter. Their condition is stated to be stable.”
He said another militant fled from the encounter site by taking advantage of the darkness.
“During cross-firing, one lady identified as Ruby wife of Manzoor Ahmad Mir of Bata Marran got critically injured who later on succumbed to her injuries at District hospital Pulwama. Nine civilians were also injured whose condition is said to be stable,” he said.
(With inputs from CNS)
