Srinagar, Dec 07: An encounter between security forces and terrorists is underway in Watho village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district in which three terrorists are believed to be trapped, officials said.
In a tweet, Kashmir Zone Police said that the gunfight was going-on in Watho area of Shopian. “Encounter has started at Watho area of #Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” the police tweet said.
A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir that three ‘terrorists ‘ are trapped inside the target house and the operation is under process.
He said gunfight broke out on Wednesday evening after the Special Operations Group of police, Army, and Central Reserve Police Force cordoned the area on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in the area.
He said as the search parties were zeroing in near the suspected location, the hiding militants opened fire at them who retaliated, triggering a gunfight.
“We have cordoned the area and all roads leading to the encounter site have been sealed. Currently firing is going on from both sides,” the official said.
In case, if the encounter will be called off following darkness, all SOPs will be followed including the installation of more lights, multiple layer cordon, etc” he said.
He said the operation is underway and more troops have arrived and cordon has been further tightened.
Police attaches house in Awantipora for harbouring militants
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday attached a house being used for terror activities in the Danak Mohala Khrew area of south Kashmir’s Awantipora.
A police spokesman said the Police received information through reliable sources regarding the presence of a group of terrorists in the house of Gh Ahmad Najar son of Gh Mohd Najar resident of Danak Mohala Khrew who are conspiring to carry out terror act in the area.
Accordingly, a joint cordon and search operation was launched along with Army (50RR) and CRPF (185 Bn). When the cordon was being laid, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the operational party with the intent to kill the security forces. The fire was effectively retaliated leading to an encounter, he said.
“During the gun battle the terrorists by taking advantage of darkness managed to shift into the house of Ghulam Nabi Najar son of Gh Mohd Najar resident of Danak Mohalla Khrew, which is located adjacent to the initial target house,” the spokesman said.
He said subsequently the terrorists were zeroed down and again the fire fight erupted between the Police, SFs and hiding terrorists, which led successful elimination of 02 terrorists.
“From the site of encounter, 02 dead bodies of slain terrorists were recovered, who were later identified as Musaib Mushtaq Bhat son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat and Muzamil Ahmad Rather son of Nazir Ahmad Rather resident of Chakoora Pulwama,” the spokesman said.
Consequent upon this case FIR No. 57/2021 U/S 307-IPC 7/27 A. Act 16,18,20 & 38 UA(P) Act was registered in Police Station Khrew and investigation was taken up.
