Two militants have been killed in the ongoing encounter in the area of Malwah area of Kunzer in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, Police said.
An official told The Kashmiriyat that early on Thursday, a joint team of RR of Indian Army, Jammu Kashmir Police had launched a cordon and search operation in the Malwah area, during which militants opened fire upon them.
In the initial exchange of gunfire, four troopers were injured and two militants were also killed.
One of the slain was identified as Mohammed Yousuf Kantroo, a resident of Kawoosa area in Budgam.
Mohammed Yousuf Kantroo was earlier affiliated with Hizb ul Mujahideen Kantroo and was arrested in the year 2005. Later on, he was released in the year 2008. but he again joined militant rank in the year 2016.
Yousuf was one of the longest surviving militants in the Kashmir valley.
An official told The Kashmiriyat that the family of Faisal Ahmed Dar, a resident of Aripanthan in Budgam was brought to the encounter site to persuade the 17-year-old to surrender.
On 17th March, The Kashmiriyat reported that Faisal Ahmed Dar, the 12th class student went missing from his on 14 march after which his family issued an appeal asking people to help them trace the 17-year-old.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, Hafeezullah Dar, his father said, On 14th March afternoon, Faisal left home around 3:30 PM for tuitions at nearby Magam area.
He attended his tuitions and left the tuitions around 5 PM on 14 March (same day), after which there has been no trace of him. “We confirmed from the teachers and his classmates, but nobody has a clue of him. His phone has been switched off since then,” he said.
According to his father, Faisal has another sibling who is younger to him. The family had also lodged a missing report at the concerned Police station.
Meanwhile, three more militants including two foreigners are believed to be trapped at the site of the encounter. “Search lights have been installed at the site of the encounter, as the militants are changing their position constantly,” Sources told The Kashmiriyat.
As per the sources, Hilal Ahmed Sheikh alias Hanzulla, a resident of Kreeri area in Baramulla and two foreign militants are believed to be trapped at the site of the encounter.