Two militants killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore; internet services suspended

Two militants were killed in an encounter that started between security forces and militants at Brath Kalan-Gund Mohalla of Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday. The search operation is currently underway. “The exchange of fire between militants and security forces has stopped,” said the sources. The security forces have begun the search operation now.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Brath Kalan area of Sopore on Wednesday evening following information about the presence of militants there, an army official said. He said the operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on security forces. The troops of 179 Battalion of CRPF, Special Operation Group (SOG), 22 RR, CRPF Range Quick Action Team, Baramulla, carried out the encounter. The identity and group affiliation of the militants are yet to be ascertained. Mobile internet services have been suspended in the area as a precautionary measure. On Tuesday, four policemen, who were guarding a minority pocket in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, were gunned down by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists, police said. A senior police official said that six terrorists of banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed were led by former special police officer Adil Bashir, who decamped eight weapons from a PDP legislator in October this year and deserted the police force. In another encounter on Sunday, three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants, including one of the youngest militants in Kashmir, were killed in an 18-hour gunfight with security forces on the outskirts of Srinagar on Sunday. A soldier and three civilians were also injured during the encounter, a police spokesperson said. With inputs from agencies