Srinagar, February 25: Two Lashkar militants and a civilian were killed in a gunfight between militants and security forces in Amshipora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday. Police said the civilian was killed “in militant firing”.
“Based on a specific input of police about the presence of (militants) in village Amshipora, Shopian, a joint operation was launch during the late night of 24/25-02-2022,” IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said in a statement.
“After a cluster of houses were taken into cordon, following the drill civilians were evacuated to safety. Thereafter, house to house searches were started in the wee hours to locate the hiding militants, ” he said.
As per IGP Kashmir, the militants “resorted to indiscriminate firing” in which one civilian namely Shakeel Ahmed Khan son of Abdul Rahim Khan resident of Amshipora was seriously wounded and while being evacuated for treatment succumbed to the injuries.
The fire by the militants, the IGP said, was “retaliated effectively” in which both militants were killed.
The slain have been identified as Muzamil Ahmad Mir son of Ab Hameed Mir resident of Chatripora, Shopian and Shariq Ayoob son of Mohd Ayoob Wagay resident of Bonpora, Amshipora, Shopian.
Muzamil, police said, was involved in several militancy cases. “Incriminating materials including Arms ( one AK 56 rifle and one pistol) and ammunitions were also recovered, police said.