Top commander among 2 Jaish militants killed in Shopian encounter

Srinagar: A top commander was among two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants killed by security forces in a fierce encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in south Kashmir district of Shopian, a police spokesman said on Saturday.

The operation has ended and bodies of both the slain militants were recovered, he said. A large cache of arms and ammunition has also been recovered.The internet mobile service has been suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours in Shopian, where clashes from some areas were reported.

He said on a tip off about the presence of militants, troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF launched a CASO at Bonbazar in main town Shopian late Friday night. All the exit points were sealed and house to house searches launched, they said.

The spokesman said when the security forces were moving towards a particular house, the militants hiding inside opened fire with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated ensuing an encounter in which so far two militants were killed.  

He said one of the militant was identified as Munna Lahori who was responsible for car blast attack on Security Force convoy on March 30, on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Banihal.

He was also involved in car blast on Army vehicle at Arihal Pulwahma on June 17, 19. Some fatal & non fatal casualties took place in that blast, he said. He said Munna from Pakistan was known for IED making and responsible for series of civilian killing in the local area. JeM had used him for recruitment also in the belt, he said.

The another militant was identified as Zeenat, a resident of Turkwangam.Additional security forces and state police personnel have been deployed in the entire main town to prevent demonstrations.(UNI)