J-K: SPO among 3 killed in shootout

Security forces gunned down two Jaish-e-Mohammad militants on Wednesday after a 24-hour-long encounter in north Kashmir’s Sopore town, police sources said. A Special Police Officer (SPO) was also killed and fourteen security personal were injured in the encounter that started on Tuesday afternoon.

“The encounter started at around 6 pm on Tuesday when security forces received a tip off about the presence of two top JeM militants at Warpora village on the outskirts of the Sopore town. Immediately, a joint operation was launched by the police, 20 RR, 179 Battalion CRPF and 177 Battalion CRPF,” the police said, adding that the two slain militants were trying to regroup various militant outfits in north Kashmir.

“As security personnel raided Ghulam Hassan War’s house, the militants hiding there, lobbed grenades injuring sub inspector Mohammad Shafi, a Lt Col of 22 RR and an assistant commander of 179 Bn CRPF,” the police said.

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“In the wee hours today SPO Abdul Rashid was killed and Constable Abdul Qayoom was seriously injured,” the official added.

“One of the killed militant was identified as Hilal Ahmad Sofi alias Tariq alias Khalid a resident of Warpora Sopore. The other is till to be identified,” Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla Anand Jain told The Indian Express.