Two militants associated with the Lasker-e-Toiba outfit were on Friday killed while a local militant surrendered during a gunfight in Lalpora Chatlam, in the Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The gunfight between the militants and the forces broke out at Lalpora Pampore area in Pulwama district Thursday evening following an extensive cordon and search operation.
“The anti-militancy operation was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Police, paramilitary CRPF, and the Army after intelligence inputs confirmed the presence of militants in the area,” the official said.
He said as the search parties were zeroing in on the suspected location, the hiding militants opened fire indiscriminately, resulting in injuries to two civilians.
“ The whole area was put under a strict cordon after which the operation was suspended due to the darkness. Lights were also set up to monitor their movement. The operation was resumed Friday morning and one militant was killed while another was killed in the afternoon,” the police said.
As per the police, the opportunity to surrender was provided to another trapped local militant.
He laid down his arms and surrendered.
“The surrendered militant was injured during the encounter and was subsequently shifted to a nearby hospital,” the police said.
He said the bodies of both the slain militants were retrieved from the encounter site who, as per reliable sources, are Pakistani nationals.
The surrendered militant was identified as Khawar Sultan Mir son of Mohammad Sultan Mir resident of Drangbal Pampore.
Arms and ammunition recovered from the site of encounter have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other activities.
In this connection, police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and the investigation has been initiated.
Among the two civilians injured on Thursday evening at the encounter site, Abid Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Hamid Mir of Meej Pampore succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital, while another inured Kifayat Ahmad is stable at Bone and Joint hospital Srinagar, the police said
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that surrender over death is being preferred by the militants in live encounters.
In a tweet, Kumar said that, “Success of police and security forces is that they are getting misguided youth back. This year has been successful as they (youth) are returning now and they are being honourably welcomed.”
“With the fresh surrender of a militant on Friday, the number of militants who surrendered in live encounters has reached nine,” The IGP said.
He congratulated forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of local misguided youth.
“Local misguided youth are always welcomed to return to the mainstream. This year has been successful as many of them are returning and has reiterated his appeal to them to shun the path of violence,” Kumar said.