Two ultras killed in Shopian gunfight

Our Correspondent

Anantnag, June 11

Two militants, inspired by the Islamic State (IS) ideology, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The slain militants have been identified as Sayar Ahmad Bhat of Yaripora in Kulgam district and Shakir Ahmad Wagay of Awneera village in Shopian district.

The gunfight took place in Awneera village of Shopian. A senior police officer said a cordon and search operation was launched by the joint team of security forces following credible leads regarding the presence of militants in the area.

“The militants were hiding in a residential house and opened fire soon after they realised they had been surrounded,” the police officer said. He added that fire was retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight, the two militants were killed.

“We have retrieved the bodies along with arms and ammunition. Both the slain militants had terror crime cases registered against them, including the killing of a civilian in the Zainapora area of Shopian,” he added. Later in the day, the bodies of the militants were handed over to their families.

Meanwhile, Internet services were snapped in the district soon after the encounter was triggered and remained so till the last reports came in.