Four local Lashker-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.
Moreover, Three Army troopers were killed and five others were injured when a vehicle they were traveling in overturned near Kanipora village, enroute to an encounter site at Badigam area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.
The local Militants were identified as Aaqib Farooq Thoker , son of Farooq Ahmed Thoker, Waseem Ahmed Thoker son of Abdul Ghani Thoker, both residents of Heffkhuri, Zainapora, Farooq Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Salam Bhat and Shoqeen Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Abdulla Mir, both residents of Sugan.
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“Based on specific input gen erated by police regarding pres ence of militants in Badigam
area of Zainapora Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and
Army (44RR ) in the area,” police said in a statement.
“During the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the
hiding (militants) fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
Later on CRPF also joined," the statement reads.
In the ensuing encounter, four local militants of LeT were killed, it said.
As per police records, he said, all of them were “categorized” militants and part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilians.
IGP Kashmir said that killed militants were active in Shopian and adjacent areas of Pulwama.
“They were involved in six cases including attacks on outside la bourers.”
Aaqib Farooq Thoker was involved in snatching of 12 Bore Ri fle from JK guard Murran TP branch in which the bank guard
Abdul Hamid Wani of Tahab got injured. He was also involved in Case FIRs 25/2022 & 26/2022 of PS Litter pertaining to attack on driver namely Deeraj Dutt of Pathankot and cleaners namely
Surinder Singh and Sonu Sharma, both residents of Pathankot at Nowpora and Yadar respectively in which they got injured.
“IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-militancy operation without any collateral damage,” the spokesman said, adding, “IGP said that hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on and they will be neutralised soon.”
On the army accident, Defence ministry spokesman based in Srinagar said “Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver seemingly lost
control over the vehicle and it skidded off the road."
It said eight injured army men were shifted to District Hospital Shopian where two among them
were declared brought dead on arrival.
“One soldier had received minor injuries and was discharged from District Hospital,” an official said, adding, “The five other injured soldiers were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, where in the third soldier also succumbed to his injuries.”
Four troopers are presently at the 92Base Hospital and are being treated, he said.
”It has already been clarified by the JKP that information shared on social media, that the accident was caused by stone pelting incident in the area is false. Rumours may be avoided and peace be maintained,” he said.
Earlier Police said that accident was due to driver of the sumo vehicle losing control over it.
“It has been reported that some unconfirmed and mislead information has been circulated on social media, relating to the stone pelting/ injuries to some army personnel at Kanipora Shopian. It is, clarified that the information shared in the social media is wrong and is not based on facts,” a police spokesman said.
“Actually a tata Sumo carrying Army from 44 RR Chowgam Camp was on its way to the encounter site at Badigam shopian. The driver lost control over the vehicle due to some technical fault and it skidded off the road”.
He had said that four soldiers were injured in the mishap and were shifted to District Hospital Shopian where two among them succumbed to wounds.
“Remaining two injured men have been evacuated to 92 Base Army hospital Srinagar,” the spokesperson added.
The army has now stated that three soldiers were killed and five others were injured.
