3 ultras killed, four security men hurt in twin Valley encounters

Three militants were killed and four security personnel injured in two encounters between militants and the security forces in the Valley, the police said on Saturday.

The first encounter began on Saturday morning after the security forces got an input about the presence of militants in the Khanyar area of Srinagar city. Srinagar had witnessed its last encounter in September 2022. Police sources said a foreign militant, identified as Usman, was killed in the day-long Khanyar operation, which ended in the evening. “He was active for many years and his killing is a huge blow to the Lashkar outfit,” said a security officer.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, VK Birdi said the slain militant was an LeT commander and four security personnel were injured in the Srinagar operation. “His involvement in the murder of Inspector Masroor has come to the fore,” he said.

Inspector Masroor of the J&K Police was shot dead by a militant while he was playing cricket at a playground in Srinagar last year.

As the Khanyar operation was underway, the security forces gunned down two militants in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Srinagar-based Army’s Chinar Corps said based on a specific input, a joint operation was launched by the forces in Halkan Gali, Anantnag.

“On November 2, suspicious movement was observed near Halkan Gali and challenged by vigilant troops. Terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on our column,” the Army said. “Our troops retaliated, resulting in the elimination of two terrorists.”

Sources told The Tribune that the two slain militants, were locals. “Further investigation is on,” said an official.

The two successful anti-militancy operations have come at a time when the Valley has witnessed a sudden surge in militant attacks.

Six terror incidents have taken place in the Valley since October 18, including one on Friday evening when two non-local workers were shot at and injured in a militant attack in Central Kashmir’s Budgam.

Seven persons, including a doctor, were killed after militants targeted construction workers in Ganderbal.

Two soldiers and two civilian porters were killed, while three jawans were injured after an Army vehicle was attacked by terrorists near the famous tourist resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district last week.