Srinagar, May 16 : Army On Thursday paid tributes to Late Sep Sandeep who died during counter militant operation in a gunfight at Delipora of Pulwama District.

Three militants have also been killed in the operation, the spokesman said.

“In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks paid homage to the martyr on behalf of a proud nation. In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the slain,” army’s defence ministry spokesman said in a statement. 

Late Sep Sandeep, sustained bullet injuries during a fierce operation at Village Delipura of Pulwama District. He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries, the spokesman said.

Sep Sandeep(28) had joined the Army in 2012. He belonged to Village Behlba of Maham Tehsil in District Rohtak, Haryana and is survived by his wife.

The mortal remains of the Sandeep was taken for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours, the spokesman said.

In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family of the martyr and remains committed to their dignity and well being, the spokesman added.

Bodies of slain handed over to respective families for last rites

Qayoom Khan

Srinagar, May 16 : Three militants have been killed and an army soldier was injured in an encounter with government forces at Handew area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.

The encounter broke out after a joint team of army’s 44 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon and search operations this afternoon at Handew village.

A police officer said that three militants were killed in the gunfight and an army soldier sustained bullet injuries during the operation.

The injured soldier was taken to nearby army’s health facility for treatment where from he was shifted to army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh Srinagar.

The officer said that the bodies of the slain militants have been recovered along with arms and ammunition.

The officer identified the slain as Shakeel Ahmad Dar alias Abu Wasif son of Abdul Gani Dar of Tukroo, Shopian, Shakir Ahmad Paul alias Owais Amin Baie son of Abdul Ganie Paul of Molu Dangerpora and Yawar Mushtaq alias Khalid Bhai son of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Bandpoh Thokerpora Shopian. The slain trio was affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, the officer said.

He said that the slain trios were involved in number of attacks in parts of South Kashmir.

After conducting all legal formalities, the bodies of the slain were later handed over to their respective families for last rites, the officer said.

Following the gunfight, youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces. The police and paramilitary forces used tear smoke shells to disperse them.  (GNS)

Asks Admin to speed up probe in Sumbal episode

Srinagar, May 16: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Thursday expressed grief and sorrow over the death of 23-year-old Sumbal youth, terming his killing as ‘tragic and highly condemnable’.

In a statement issued, Mehbooba expressed solidarity with the family of Arshid Ahmad Dar son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Chanabal Pattan. Arshid breathed his last at SKIMS where he was admitted for specialized treatment after being shifted from JVC Bemina.

Asking the government to speed-up the probe in Bandipora case, Mehbooba said that it is the only way to clear any misgivings in peoples’ minds and restore normalcy.

She also appealed people not to go adrift at any cost and do not allow divisive elements to succeed in their nefarious plans to create animosity between people on sectarian and communal lines.

Meanwhile, PDP president also expressed grief over the demise of Irfan Hamed Sheikh of Zainapora, Shopian. On May 8, unknown gunmen barged inside the chemist shop and fired upon the Irfan Ahmad and Muzafar Ahmad. In the incident, the duo suffered critical injuries. Irfan succumbed to his injuries last night.

Mehbooba prayed for the departed soul and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family members at this hour of great loss.

Jehangir Lolabi

Srinagar, May 16 : An encounter was broke out between militants and goverment forces in Kandi forests of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday morning.

Reports reaching GNS said that a joint team of army’s 47 RR, 28 RR and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation at Portel Nad and Razdan Nad – upper reaches of Kandi connecting Lolab forests.

Reports said that there was heavy firing in the forests while the joint team launched searches in the area.

An army officer said that the operation was launched in the woods following intelligence inputs about the movement of suspected militants in the area.

He said that the contact was established soon after the forces challenged the movement of the group of militants in the forests.

SSP Kupwara Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar told GNS that the encounter between the militants and the security forces is going on in the upper reaches of Kandi. (GNS)