Srinagar, Nov 30 (Only Kashmir): Five militants were killed and one para commando of the Indian Army was injured in two separate encounters in Kashmir’s Budgam and Baramulla districts on Thursday.
Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that four militants were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Futlipora, adding security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Futlipora in Pakherpora area following information about presence of militants in the area. He said that the militants opened fire on security forces, who retaliated, triggering a fierce gun battle.
“Four militants were killed in the gunbattle,” the official said adding the operation was still in progress.
In the gunfight at Futlipora village, following specific information about the presence of militants, the security forces had surrounded the village in Pakherpora area of Badgam district in the morning.
‘As the security forces closed in on the hiding militants, the security forces were fired upon triggering the encounter,” a police officer said.
Reports also said that four youths have suffered injuries in clashes near the encounter site in Futlipora. Reports said that as the gunfight started in the area between militants and forces, the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces in a bid to disrupt the anti-militant operation.
Forces responded by firing teargas shells and pellet fires. Reports said that two teenagers are being treated at CHC Pakherpora for pellet injuries. Both the injured are residents of Karpora Check village of Pakherpora.
Earlier, a teen was hit by a bullet during the clashes at main chowk Pakherpora. Besides, a youth has suffered injuries after he was hit by a teargas shell.
Local sources said that a private Tata Mobile vehicle was set ablaze by protesters amid a fierce gun battle. “Angry protesters burned the vehicle for allegedly ferrying army soldiers,” they said.
Authorities have also suspended Internet services in the district to prevent spread of rumours.
In another gunfight that erupted in north Kashmir Sagipora village of Sopore area in Baramulla, police said one militant has been killed so far while a para commando of the army was injured.
Police said one security force personnel sustained injuries during the operation while two civilian youth were hurt in security forces action against protestors who were trying to disrupt the anti-militancy operation.
Meanwhile, Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik paid rich tributes to five armed youth killed in two separate encounters at Budgam and Sagipora, Sopore and strongly condemned the use of force on protestors leaving eight of them injured in indiscriminate bullet pellet and tear gas shelling terming it as absolute highhandedness of forces.
Inputs: PTK
