Kashmir: Ummer Fayaz's killers among 12 militants 'neutralised', 3 jawans lose lives in separate encounters

In three separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, two of which have now concluded, three Indian Army jawans lost their lives and 12 militants including “top commanders” were also gunned down. Among the militants killed in Sunday included those responsible for the death of Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz , an army official said. Two civilians were also killed and dozens of others injured in clashes that broke out between protesters and security forces following the three encounters in several parts of the region. Security forces launched anti-militancy operations last night at three places simultaneously in south Kashmir following information about the presence of a large number of militants there, a police official said. He said that the militants had assembled at these places to hold meetings about their plan to carry out subversive activities, including targeting security personnel and political workers.

While one militant was killed and another surrendered before the forces at Dialgam in Anantnag district, seven ultras were killed in a gunbattle at Draggad in Shopian district, the official said.

He said that another gunbattle took place at Kachdoora in Shopian, during which three Indian Army jawans lost their lives. Sources told Firstpost that four or five militants are likely to have been killed in this encounter, which is still going on. Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police (DGP) SP Vaid confirmed the killing of 12 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 bodies of terrorists recovered including top commanders.

— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) April 1, 2018

“Encounter also going on in Kachdoora Shopian, some civilian trapped efforts to rescue them on,” the DGP said. “Excellent synergy has developed between the police, army, CRFP and the troops on the ground. We had been looking for the terrorists who killed Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, today we neutralised them. All terrorists killed today were locals,”  ANI quoted Indian Army’s AK Bhatt as saying. [caption id=“attachment_4224753” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] Clashes erupt between security forces and civilians Clashes between protesters and security forces broke out soon after the news of militant killings spread in several parts of south Kashmir. The protestors at Draggad and Kachdoora hurled stones at the security forces who responded by opening firing, the official said. He said two civilians have died so far while dozens of others were injured. Several of the injured were taken to hospitals in Srinagar. One of the injured person’s condition is stated to be critical, the official said. Reports of clashes have been received from other parts of south Kashmir and some parts of the city as well. Authorities have deployed police and paramilitary personnel in strength in the city for maintaining law and order. A police official, while giving details of the operations, said security forces had launched a search operation and cordoned the Draggad area of Shopian this morning following specific input regarding the presence of militants in the area. He said as the searches were being conducted, the militants fired on the forces, which led to an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight, seven militants were killed, the official said, adding that the identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained. The operation is on and further details are awaited, the official said. Mobile internet services were suspended in the Valley as a precautionary measure following the killing of 12 militants in encounters and two civilians in clashes with security forces, officials said. Earlier on Sunday morning, a militant was killed while another surrendered before forces in Anantnag, the official said. Based on specific input, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Peth Dialgam area of Anantnag in the early hours, he said. The official said that the militants were detected and security forces made repeated requests on loudspeakers asking them to surrender, as per the standard operating procedure. On this, the official said, one of the militants (name withheld) came out of a house and surrendered. 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 the security forces which was retaliated and in which he was killed, he said. The slain militant was identified as Rouf Khanday, the official said, adding he had gone missing early this year and a photograph of him holding a gun was posted on social media in the 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. With inputs from PTI and Ishfaq Naseem