Tensions prevailed in North Kashmir on Thursday as the Indian Army killed two militants after a four-hour long gunbattle in the wee hours of the morning. Services of all operators, except state-run BSNL have reportedly been suspended in North Kashmir to thwart any protests.
Army top brass, including chief General Bipin Rawat, have reached Srinagar to review security scenario in the region, sources said.
Rashtiyra Rifles troop and Jammu and Kashmir Police killed 2 militants after a three-hour long encounter, which broke out at 2:45 AM and ended at 06:45 AM.
Militants killed in Sopore behind attack on police party: Srinagar DGP
Two militants, who were killed by security forces in an encounter in Baramulla district’s Sopore area on Thursday, belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen and were behind an attack on a police party.
“Yesterday, a grenade attack was carried out on a police deployment party in Sopore town in which four policemen were injured,” Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, SP Vaid told reporters in Srinagar.
“The description of assailants and CCTV footage helped in identifying and arresting two persons, including one who had hurled the grenade at the police party,” the DGP said.
Vaid said during interrogation, the arrested persons provided information about the hideout of the militants at whose behest they had carried out the attack.
“The security forces laid a cordon around the area. As they were closing in on the house where the militants were hiding, they opened fire. The security forces retaliated leading to death of the two militants,” the DGP said.
He said both slain militants were locals and belonged to the Hizbul Mujahdieen. “They have been identified as Aijaz and Basharat,” he added.
Massive cordon-and-search operation launched
Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Nathi Pora area of Sopore at around 3:30 am after receiving information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.
During the searches, the militants, believed to be two in number, opened fire on the forces, triggering the gun-battle, he said.
Indian Army has recovered two AK-47, 5 magazines, 107 live rounds, 2 pouches, Rs 2000 in cash, 2 rubber stamps and paraphernalia from the two terrorists.
Meanwhile, services of all operators, except state-run BSNL have reportedly been suspended in North Kashmir to thwart any protests.
Army top brass in Jammu and Kashmir
Sources have revealed that the entire top brass of Army except the Vice chief are in Jammu and Kashmir today, including Army Chief Bipin Rawat and all seven Army commanders.
"Army Chief reached Srinagar, J&K on Thursday morning. He is likely to hold a conclave of the senior officers about the security scenario," reported ANI.
Also read:
Kashmir: Four cops injured as militants hurl grenade at police party in Baramulla
Indo-Pak tensions: Travel, trade across LoC in Kashmir come to halt
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