Six more militants killed in two encounters in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar

While two militants were killed in the Pulwama encounter, four were killed in Shopian operation on Friday, the officials said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Meej in Pampore area of Pulwama, in South Kashmir, on Thursday morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants there.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired upon a search party of the forces. One militant was killed in the gunfight on Thursday, but two more ultras entered a nearby mosque to take refuge inside it, the official said.

He said the cordon around the mosque was maintained throughout the night. On Friday morning, security forces used tear smoke shells to force the holed up militants out of the mosque, the officials said, adding the two were then killed by the forces while maintaining the sanctity of the religious place.

In total, three militants were killed in the operation. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said no firing or IED was used to force the militants out of the Mosque. “Patience and professionalism worked. No use of firing and IED. Used tear smoke shells only. Maintained sanctity of the mosque. Both terrorists hiding inside mosque neutralised,” the IGP said.