Kashmir: Three Al-Badar militants killed in encounter; one surrenders in Shopian

Meanwhile, one newly recruited militant of the outfit surrendered during the encounter in Shopian, where mobile internet service of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), was suspended since last evening.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir once again makes a fervent appeal to all misguided youth, who have joined militant ranks, to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents. “We will welcome and accept them with open arms,” he said.

A police spokesperson said that following specific information about presence of militants, in Kanigam area of Shopian, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police, 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 178 battalion of CRPF late last night in the area.

“During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender. Family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender,” he said.

He said due to the great efforts and utmost patience of police, security forces and repeated surrender appeals with the help of their family members, one of the trapped militants, identified as Tausif Ahmad, ultimately surrendered and laid down his arms before the joint security forces.

He said the surrendered militant later also appealed to his trapped companions to surrender, however, they turned down the offer and fired indiscriminately on a joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

“In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter,” he said.

He said the slain militants have been identified as Danish Mir, Mohd Umer Bhat both residents of Khajapora Shopian and Zaid Bashir Reshi resident of Raben Shopian.

“As per police records, they were affiliated with proscribed outfit Al-Badr,” he said.

Kumar congratulated the joint team of police and security forces for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a misguided youth. “Incriminating materials, including arms and ammunition, have been recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other militant related activities,” the spokesperson said.

He said the last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.

“In this connection, police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any,” he added.