May 28, 2024 17:51 (IST)
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Kupwara, Apr 8 (IBNS): The fierce gun fighting that started in Zoonareshi area of frontier district Kupwara of North Kashmir , near the Line of Control on Monday claimed five lives including three government forces personnel and two militants.
Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said that after receiving inputs about the presence of militants, the government forces launched an operation against the hiding militants in which both the militants were neutralized.
Police sources told IBNS that government forces, including Army, Special Operation Group and CRPF personnel, jointly launched a combing operation in Zoonareshi forests of Chowkibal Kupwara.
"After a brief shootout in the forest area, two militants fled from the spot and barged into the house of one Muhammad Sadiq. The government forces evacuated all the family members safely and after that launched an assault on the holed up militants," a top police official told IBNS adding that the operation that was halted at 11 on Monday night was resumed at 7 on Tuesday morning.
According to reports, the holed up militants gave a tough fight and tried to inflict maximum damage on the government forces.
"The fierce encounter claimed five lives including two militants. The slain militants have not been identified yet," Srinagar based Defence spokesperson N.N.Joshi said.
The operation came to end after the Army blasted the house.
Among those who got killed during the gun fight included a Junior Commissioned Officer of Indian Army Kananwadi, SOG man Reyaz Ahmed of Gurez and Head Constable Muhammad Shafi.
Four policemen were also injured during the encounter who have been identified as Assistant Sub Inspector Reyaz Ahmed (2865), Shahlala (635), Reyaz Ahmed (823) and Fayaz Khan (383). A police official said that no civilian was injured during the gunfight.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condoled the demise of Army and Police Jawans in the encounter.
In his condolence message to the Army,the J&K Police Force and the bereaved families, state chief minister Omar Abdullah while expressing his solidarity with them and conveying sympathy has highlighted the bravery of jawans to combat the militancy and protect the lives and property of the people of the state.
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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