8 militants killed in two encounters in Shopian and pulwama

Srinagar: Eight militants were killed by security forces in two different encounters in the south Kashmir districts of Shopian and Pulwama during encounters which ensued during Cordon and Search Operations (CASO), officials said on Friday.

Jamia Masjid, where the militants were hiding, is safe and there was no damage to worship during the operation, Imam Fayaz Ahmad said.

Mobile internet of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), has been suspended in both the districts to prevent spread of rumours.Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar has congratulated security forces for the success.

With these killings, 113 militants, including about 20 top commanders of different outfits, including Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), Lashkher-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed by security forces during the first five-and-half months in the Kashmir valley.

A defence ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation at village Bandpoh in Shopian in the wee hours of Thursday following a tip off about the presence of militants.

However, when the security forces launched searches after sealing all exit points, the militants hiding in a house resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, he said, adding security forces also retaliated and in the encounter, a militant was killed.Later, cordon around the village was further tightened to foil any attempt by militants to escape, he said, adding that with the first light this morning, security forces launched all out offensive against the militants who continued firing.

Four more militants were killed in the morning operation, he said, adding the identity of the militants was being ascertained. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants, he added.(UNI)