Srinagar, May 10 : A militant was killed in an encounter with government forces at Ram Nagri area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.
A police spokesman in a statement issued said that a cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched today morning at Ram Nagri area of Herpora on the basis of credible input.
During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to a brief exchange of fire, the spokesman said.
“In the brief exchange of fire, one militant was killed and he has been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Umar son of Mushtaq Ahmad resident of Model Town-B, Sopore,” he said.
Incriminating material including arms and ammunition has been recovered from the slain, the spokesman said, adding that with the efforts of police and security forces, it was a clean operation and no collateral damage took place during the exchange of fire.
According to the police records, Ishfaq had a long history of “crime records” and was initially affiliated with HuM militant outfit, the spokesman said.
“He along with his other militant associates was involved in a series of attacks including grenade attacks on CRPF bunker at Safa Kadal, Soura and Police Station Khanyar. He was also part of groups which had carried out attacks on security establishments in the area,” he said adding that Ishfaq was subsequently arrested and after his release on bail, he again got recycled and joined the militant ranks last year in 2018.
“Ishfaq, as per the police records, after getting recycled again got involved in planning and executing militant attacks. He was also involved in attacks on security establishments and many other ‘civilian atrocities’ in the area for which several crime cases were registered against him. As such he was wanted by law for his complicity in a series of crimes,” the spokesman said.
Police has urged people not to go inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials.
Meanwhile, the body of the militant was shifted to PCR Srinagar by police.
After conducting all legal formalities, the body was handed over to his legal heirs for last rites.
Reports said the body reached in his native village in Sopore at around 5:40 pm.
Following the killing, authorities snapped internet services and also ordered closure of all government and private educational institutions in the sub-division for Friday as a precautionary measure.
Amid a spontaneous shutdown in main town Sopore and its adjoining parts, clashes also broke out in model town Sopore. (GNS)
