5 ultras killed in Shopian gunfight

Suhail A Shah
Anantnag, June 10

Five militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district today, taking to 14 the number of ultras gunned down in the area over the last four days.

Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said the encounter again reinforced the fact that Hizb and Lashkar militants were working together. “A Hizbul district commander was among those killed,” he said.

Following specific inputs, a search and cordon operation was launched early in the morning at Sugoo-Hendhama village, the police said. The militants were told to surrender after contact was established, but they resorted to firing. The fire was retaliated and the militants were killed, an official said. “The bodies of the militants have been retrieved along with arms and ammunition and some incriminating documents,” the official said.

The authorities have snapped internet services in Shopian. That, however, could not prevent clashes from erupting around the encounter site.