Kashmir

Handwara gunfight: Slain militants were LeT operatives, says police

Srinagar: The two militants who were killed in a gunfight with armed forces in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night had been affiliated to Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit, police revealed.

The slain were identified as Liyaqat, a resident of Harwan Sopore and Furqan (18), a resident of Langate area of Handwara.

One the militants killed in the gunfight had a sister who was going to get married on Tuesday.

A family member of the slain militant told GNS that his sister was getting married today. “We are going to collect his body now,” he said and broke down.

Locals of the area said that Liyaqat was father of three children and left his home this year. “We have not seen him since July this year and we also did not know he has joined militant ranks,” a local told GNS. Liyaqat had joined the ranks of militancy on 8th July.

Earlier, A spokesman stated a joint search operation had been launched by the police and forces based on ‘credible’ inputs about the presence of militants area of Galoora in Langate.

An official said the army’s 30 RR, 92 BN CRPF and SOG cordoned Galoora on the basis of the inputs.

“During the searches, the militants fired on the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed,” police said.

Meanwhile, the gunfight led to temporary suspension of internet services in the area. The telecom companies were directed to snap the Internet services in Handwara parts, reported GNS news agency.

The district administration Kupwara has also suspended class work in GDC Handwara and all Higher Secondary Schools of Mawar and Langate zones.

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