4 ultras shot dead in Shopian; three soldiers die on way to site

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Srinagar, April 14

Four Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district on Thursday, while three Army men lost their lives as their vehicle met with an accident on the way to the site of the gun battle, officials said.

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On receiving information about the presence of terrorists at Badigam in Shopian, the security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation, a police official said.

During the operation, the terrorists fired upon the forces, which led to an encounter, he added. In the exchange of fire, four terrorists were killed. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the slain ultras were members of the proscribed LeT outfit. “The LeT terrorists neutralised in today’s encounter were active in Shopian and adjacent areas of Pulwama. They were involved in six terror crimes, including attacks on non-local labourers. Hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on and they will be neutralised soon,” Kumar tweeted.

Meanwhile, three Army men lost their lives and five were injured after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned near Kanipora village of Shopian district while they were on their way to the encounter site in Badigam.

Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle, which skidded off the road. The eight soldiers were shifted to District Hospital, Shopian. Three soldiers succumbed to their injuries while four are now admitted in 92 Base Hospital and one has been discharged.

A Defence Ministry spokesperson denied reports of the accident resulting from a stone-throwing incident.