Security forces kill militant killed in Shopian, operation continues

Srinagar: An unidentified militant was killed by security forces on Sunday in an encounter that ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched late Saturday night in the south Kashmir district of Shopian, a police spokesman said.

He said on a tip-off about the presence of militants in village Rawalpora, Shopian, troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF launched a CASO late last night.

However, when the security forces were sealing the area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said adding later due to darkness operation was stopped to avoid any civilian casualty.

With the first light this morning, security forces urged militants to surrender, he said adding militants hiding in a house continued firing.

In the return fire an unidentified militant was killed, he said adding the operation was still going on when the reports last came in.

Additional security forces have been deployed in the adjoining areas to prevent any law and order problem.

Meanwhile, mobile internet has been snapped in Shopian as a precautionary measure to prevent any rumours.

The CASO came a day after police claimed to have arrested seven Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) associates in the Shopian district. (UNI)