Jammu and Kashmir: Three Al- Badr militants, SPO killed in two diff encounters

Talking to reporters this afternoon Kumar said on a tip off about the presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at village Badigam in south Kashmir district of Shopian late last night.

He said operation was stopped due to darkness. However, this morning with the first light house owner and his family were rescued before launching a final assault.

However, encounter ensued when security forces were trying to enter the house, he said fire was retaliated ensuing in an encounter in which three unidentified militants were killed.

He said all the three militants were locals belonging to Al-Badr militant outfit.

Kumar said another CASO was launched at Beerwah in central Kashmir district of Badgam in the wee hours today by the security forces following a specific information about the presence of militants.

However, when the security forces were sealing the area, militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons in which a SPO Mohammad Altaf and Selection Grade Constable (SgCt) Manzoor Ahmad was injured. Altaf later succumbed, he said.

He said two militants, including a foreigner, were injured who managed to escape. Later, fresh CASO was launched in a village which is two km from the encounter site, he said adding so far no contact was established with the militants.