Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police in a statement on Sunday said that 11 militants, two civilians and three personnel of the armed forces were killed in the Draghad and Kachdoora gunfights in Shopian.
In a statement, police said that ‘Pursuing credible leads of presence of terrorists, Shopian Police and SFs started a search operation in Draghad and Kachdoora areas of Shopian district.
The statement added that while the searches were going on, the hiding terrorists fired upon the search parties, ensuing encounters at both the sites.
“At Draghad, seven terrorists were neutralized. They have been identified as Adil Ahmed Thoker of Humhuna, Nazim Dar of Nagbal, Ubaid Shafi Malla of Trenz, Yawar Itoo of Safanagri, Rayees Ahmed Thoker of Padarpora, Zubair Turay of Shopian and Ashfaq Malik of Pinjura.”
“Apparently this group had joined HM in the summer of 2017 and were involved in series of cases of attacks on civilians and security forces including the killing of Lt. Umer Fayaz, ” the statement said.
All the bodies have been handed over to families for their last rites.
“At Draghad, while the search party entered the target house, they found body of one Mushtaq Ahmad Thoker along with the dead terrorists. There was no collateral damage of property at this encounter site. At Kachdoora Shopian, three more terrorists have been killed whose identities and affiliations are being ascertained,” Police said in the statement.
The statement further added, “At Kachdoora three army men laid down their lives in line of duty and a civilian namely Zubair Ahmad Bhat resident of Gopalpora received fire arm injury in cross fire and subsequently succumbed. Some of the other injured in the incident are being treated at different hospitals.”
Meanwhile, in the process, incriminating material including AK 47 assault rifles, grenades etc have been recovered.
FIR’s into the incidents have been registered and investigation taken up.
“We request citizens not to fall prey to any speculations and rumours which are intended to disturb peace. J&K Police seeks your cooperation for maintaining order,” the statement concluded.
