One Among the Two Militants Killed in Shopian Encounter had Joined Militancy 5 Days Ago

November 10, 2020 by News Desk

Skinder Gull

Two Militants were killed during an encounter that raged in the Kutpora area of Shopian in South Kashmir on Tuesday morning.

Officials told The Kashmiriyat that 34 Rashtriya Rifles, 178 Battalion of CRPF and Jammu Kashmir Police had following specific input about Militant presence in the Kutpora area launched a search operation there.

During this operation, exchange of gunfire took place, which eventually led to the killing of two Militants, the official said, adding, “we tried our best to persuade the Militants to lay down arms and surrender.”

The Indian Army claimed that they recovered one pistol, one AK rifle, and one grenade from the site of the encounter after the two Militants were killed.

An official speaking to The Kashmiriyat identified the slain Militants as Umer Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, who is a resident of Kutpora area in Shopian district of South Kashmir.

Umer, as per sources had been missing from his home since the 6th day of November and had joined the Militant outfit, Lashkar e Mustafa on the same day.

Irfan Ahmed Thoker who is also a resident of Kutpora area in the Shopian district of South Kashmir was identified as the second slain Militant during the encounter.

Irfan had joined the Militant ranks on 09 August 2020.

Both of the slain had not publicly announced their joining into the Militant ranks. Sources informed The Kashmiriyat that a silent recruitment unlike the earlier public announcements is going on in many parts of the Kashmir valley.

Many more are going missing from the districts of South Kashmir, which has been the hot-bed of Militancy post the killing of Burhan Wani in July 2016.

Hundreds of youth have joined various Militant outfits from here and new organizations have also been formed. Though the authorities have barred public funerals for the slain Militants, however the Militant recruitment does not seem to be going down.