Eight militants killed in south Kashmir encounters

While one militant was killed and another surrendered before forces in Anantnag district, seven ultras were killed in a gunbattle in Shopian district where another encounter is going on at a second place.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) S P Vaid confirmed the killing of eight militants.

“One terrorist killed in Dialgam Anantnag after efforts of his family/ J&K Police failed to surrender, one caught alive. In Draggad Shopian 7 (seven) bodies of terrorists recovered including top commanders,” he said in a Tweet.

Vaid said the third encounter was on in Kachdoora area of Shopian where some civilians were trapped.

“Encounter also going on in Kachdoora Shopian, some civilian trapped efforts to rescue them on,” the DGP said.

A police official, while giving details of the operations, said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Dragad area of Shopian this morning following specific input regarding presence of militants in the area.

He said as the searches were being conducted, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering an encounter.

In the ensuing gunfight, seven militants were killed, the official said.

He said the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained.

The operation is on and further details are awaited, the official said.

In another operation in Kachdoora Shopian, the official said, the gunfight is currently on.

He said the operation in its advanced stage and more details would follow.

Earlier this morning, a militant was killed while another surrendered before forces in Anantnag, the official said.

He said based on specific input regarding presence of militants, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Peth Dialgam area of Anantnag in the early hours.

He said as the search started and the location of militants was zeroed in, security forces made repeated requests on loud speaker asking them to surrender, as per the standard operating procedure.

On this, the official said, one of the militants (name withheld) came out of the house and surrendered before forces.

He has been taken into custody, the official said, adding, his family also helped the police in motivating him to come out of the house and surrender.

The other militant did not surrender and instead resorted to firing on forces which was retaliated and in which he was killed, the official said.

The slain militant was identified as Rouf Khanday, the official said, adding he had gone missing early this year and his gun-wielding photograph had come on social media in last week of March.

His body has been handed over to the family for last rites.

Both militants were part of the outlawed militant organisation Hizbul Mujahideen, the official said.