Situation remained under control: IGP
Srinagar, Aug 05: Three Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were Saturday killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Officials said that acting on specific information about the presence of militants in Jamia Mohalla, Amargarh locality of Police jurisdiction Tarzoo in Sopore, Police Sopore along with 52 RR, 92, 177, 179 BN CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the search operation.
They said that the militants who were trapped there opened fire on the joint search party, triggering an encounter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan told KNS that three militants were killed in Sopore.
“Three weapons were also recovered from the encounter site,” Defence Spokesman, Colonial Rajesh Kalia said.
The militants killed in a gunfight were belonging to LeT, a militant outfit.
The two militants were identified as Javaid Ahmd Dar, Khanpora Baramulla, Abid Hamid Mir Hajin Bandipora and Danish Manzoor of Sopore town.
Meanwhile, thousands of people attended the funeral prayers of the slain militants Javaid and Abid during which pro-freedom slogans were raised.
Amid tears and sobs, the slain militants were laid to rest in their native villages.
The slain Abid, according to the reports was a student of Islamia College Srinagar.
The students of Islamia College soon after the news of his killing protested in the college lawns.
They chanted slogans in favour of ‘Azadi' and Abid.
Reports said that scores of students later tried to move out of the college. However, a posse of police stationed outside the college intercepted them, triggering clashes.
Meanwhile, scores of people sustained injuries in Sopore and Saderkot Bala area of Bandipora district after clashes erupted between youth and forces in the area.
Following the killing of three militants, clashes erupted in the area during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth.
Reports said that scores of people were injured during the clashes in the area.
Meanwhile, the administration today ordered closure of all schools and colleges in Baramulla and Sopore townships after the killing of three LeT militants.
The step was taken as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, authorities have imposed restrictions in old town area of Baramulla district.
Locals said that as soon as the news of the killing of local militant killed in Sopore gunfight spread, a heavy contingent of police and forces were deployed in Khanpora locality of Baramulla town.
They said all the entry and exit point of old town Baramulla were sealed by police and people were not allowed to move.
Meanwhile, mobile internet services were barred in north Kashmir districts while the rest of the areas complained of slow internet speed.
The internet speed has been reduced to 2G following the killing of militants in Sopore today.
Meanwhile, following the protest call given by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, the resistance leaders staged protest at Srinagar's Maisuma area and denounced the detentions of resistance leaders by NIA and the recent killings across Kashmir.
The leadership had appealed people to protest after Zuhar prayers against the “harassment of separatist leaders by National Investigating Agency.”
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, Munir Ahmad Khan told KNS that the situation barring a few minor stone pelting incidents remained under control. “Three militants were killed today who were later buried. The minor stone pelting incident were reported in Hajin and Saderkoot today. The situation in general remained peaceful and under control throughout the day,” he said. (KNS)
