J-K: Engineer who turned militant 48 hours ago killed in Sopore encounter

Srinagar: Two militants were killed by security forces in a fierce encounter on Friday morning in apple township of Sopore, where authorities suspended mobile internet and also ordered closure of schools as a precautionary measure.

A police spokesman said that on a specific information about the presence of militants at Drusoo, Sopore, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in a village in Sopore.

However, when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, they said adding troops also retaliated ensuing in an encounter.

Two militant were killed, he said. One of the militants who were shot dead was identified as Khursheed Ahmed Malik, a B Tech student who went missing from Pulwama last week.

Malik had left home in Arabal village last Tuesday to file an examination form but he never returned.

Malik had allegedly joined militants only about 48 hours before he was killed in Sopore encounter.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in though firing has stopped.

Meanwhile, official sources told UNI that authorities suspended mobile internet service to prevent spread of any rumours. They said authorities also ordered closure of educational institutions as a precautionary measure to prevent any demonstration.

Shops and business establishments remained closed in Sopore and adjoining areas. Traffic was also off the roads since morning, though there was no strike call by any organisation. (UNI)