Thursday, March 28News and updates from Kashmir

Encounter Over at Islamabad-2 Bodies, 2 Weapons Recovered- Full Story

July 25

Two Militants have been killed in the encounter  between Militants and Government Forces at Kotwal Gali in Lal Chowk area of South Kashmir’s Islamabad township.

An encounter pertinently raged in the township after a gap of more than 12 years.

Official sources told The Kashmiriyat that 1 RR of Indian Army, Jammu Kashmir Police and 162 BN and 40 BN of CRPF jointly launched the Anti Militancy operation around 1 am.

The Encounter started when Militants fired on a patrolling party of Government forces who had laid a cordon around Lal Chowk area around 4: 20 am.

Two Militants are believed to be trapped in a house in the area, Sources told The Kashmiriyat.

Massive firing is on from both the sides as the house of a local is under siege, the inmates of the house have been evacuated, one of the member has been arrested among the inmates.

Meanwhile internet services have been suspended in the Districts of Islamabad (Anantnag) and Kulgam in South Kashmir.

Train Services have also been shut as a preventive measure.

Details Emerging.

Live Updates

5: 30 am: Massive firing going on from both the sides, Two Militants believed to exchanging gunfire.

5:40:  Lashkar e Taiba Militants believed to be trapped including one Militant from South Kashmir and other one from Doda.

6:00 am: No Firing heard for the past 20 Minutes, complete lull at the encounter site.

6:15 am: Intermittent firing resumes near the encounter site.

6:25: Pro Freedom Taranas being played in many mosques throughout the main town of Islamabad.

6:30: Massive blast heard near the encounter site, More troopers rushed to the spot, Curfew Like situation in the town, Movement of people restricted.

6:46: Massive firing resumes from both the sides now.

6:50: More troopers from CRPF’s 40 BN Called in, Reports of Stone throwing from Malaknag area of the township.

6:54: Second massive blast heard near the encounter site after which massive exchange of gunfire has restarted.

7:00: Drone Cameras pushed into service to trace the exact location of Militants.

7:20: Another Massive blast heard, One Bilal Ahmed of Khudwani and another Militant from Doda, both affiliates of LeT as told earlier are believed to be among the trapped in a house in Kotwal Gali of Lal Chowk area of Islamabad (Anantnag).

7:42: Stone throwing clashes start near Iqbal market area of Islamabad township amid Taranas in various Masjids, heavy restrictions imposed to prevent protests.

7:50: Firing resumes after a brief lull, Troopers inch closer to the encounter site.

8:00 am: Massive cordon in place from Donipawa of Islamabad outskirt to Lazibal and Khanabal areas and Ashajipora area, Concertina wires also placed in to prevent public from entering into the town.

8:08: Two massive blasts heard followed by intermittent firing resumes.

8:10 am: Sources say that Militants have not opened fire as of yet, the exact location of Militants is not known yet.

8:20 am: Many Media Personnel disallowed to cover the encounter.

8:55 am: Another Massive blast heard,

9:00 am: First fire opened upon Army men, Massive gunfight erupts.

9:12: One Police Personnel injured, he has been hit by a stone on his head, shifted to District hospital in Janglat Mandi.

9:15: Drone cameras are hoovering above the Islamabad skies, as heated exchange of gunfire continues.

9:33: Complete lull, no fire heard for the last 15 minutes, Operation still on, an official told The Kashmiriyat.

9:40: Massive blast heard, Minor Clashes reported, No Major clashes anywhere in the town, restrictions have been imposed in the lanes and by-lanes of the township to prevent protests.

9:50 am: Two Heavy blasts heard in succession, Operation still on.

10:00 am: Complete lull, no firing heard for the past 10 minutes.

10:07: Huge Blasts heard, two in succession.

10:20: Firing has stopped, Search operation begins at the encounter site, Officials told The Kashmiriyat.

10:30: As per initial reports, Two Militants have been killed, however Army officials are yet to confirm anything.

10 40 am: Two dead bodies recovered as of now, initial reports suggest that Abid Hussain bhat resident of Doda, Bilal Yousuf @Yamin resident of Khudwani Kulgam have been killed.

10:50: Massive protests continue near Mehandi Kadal- Ashajipora Bypass road.

11:00 am: Army still on the ground conducting search operations inside the rubble of the damaged house, More dead bodies expected, Army official told The Kashmiriyat.

11: 10 am: Two Bodies have been recovered along with two weapons, an AK 47 and an INSAS Rifle.

11:20 am: Operation called off, Army officials confirmed the identity of the killed Militants as the same as identified by The Kashmiriyat.