Pakistani LeT militant among 3 killed in Sopore encounter

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that a Pakistani LeT militant, identified as Usman -- who was involved in killing of a CRPF jawan and a civilian in Sopore in Baramulla -- was gunned down in the encounter.

He said it is a big success for security forces.

Meanwhile, mobile internet service has been suspended in Sopore as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir, CRPF and Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Rebban, about 2 km from main Sopore town, in the wee hours of Sunday.

However, he said when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants there, opened indiscriminate fire with automatic weapons. “The security forces retaliated ensuing in an encounter,” he said, adding a militant was killed in the exchange of fire in the morning.

He said two more militant was killed later in the afternoon. “One of the slain militant has been identified as Usman,” Kumar said.

A CRPF Head Constable (HC) Deep Chand and a civilian, identified as Bashir Ahmad Khan, were killed while three other personnel were injured in a militant attack on security force patrolling party in the apple township of Sopore in north Kashmir district of Baramulla on July 1.

Kumar had said that LeT militant Usman Bhai was involved in the attack on security forces.

“The bodies of the militants were recovered under the debris of the house, where the ultras were hiding,” sources said, adding three AK rifles have been recovered from the encounter site.

Sources said all the residents in the nearby houses were rescued and taken to safer places.

Additional security forces and police personnel have been deployed in the adjacent areas to prevent any law and order.