 S Tahir-ul Haq
EARLY TIMES REPORT
KUPWARA, Sept 5: Militants that were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pattan area had taken civilians as hostage in Pattan encounter, while Pakistan made CFV in Nougam sector, one army soldier is reportedly killed, while two other got injured in this north Kashmir district.
Reports said that encounter rages between militants and security forces in Danabehak, Warnow area of Kupwara district on Saturday late evening. A joint team of security forces including Army's 28 RR, SOG, Police and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Dana Behak forests, the army official said.
He said that thick forests gave tough time to security forces; however the security forces were carrying out search after the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated triggering off an encounter. It is believed that two to three militants are trapped; there was an intermittent fire between the two sides. Unconfirmed reports said that one militant has been killed, while the operation is still underway, till the last reports came in. According to reports, an army soldier was killed while two others were injured as India and Pakistan troops traded fire along the Line of Control at Naugam sector in this north Kashmir district on Saturday late evening.
The Pakistani army targeted Indian posts in the Naugam sector in which one soldier was killed and two others were injured that were later shifted to army’s 92 Base hospital here.
“Our troops were guarding the fence along the LoC, however the Pakistani army targeted Indian posts, but Indian army gave a befitting reply to ceasefire violation by the Pakistani army, the official added.
Meanwhile, three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed and three security forces personnel, including an Army officer, were injured in an encounter at Pattan area on Sep 4. The gun battle lasted for almost 12 hours with the killing of three militants.
The militants took 12 civilians as hostages and their rescuing was our priority. Hizbul Mujahideen have been trying to strengthen itself in north Kashmir, said police.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police north Kashmir range, Muhammad Sulaiman Choudhary said, "We had an information about the presence of militants in the area and joint teams of district police Baramullah, 29 Army and 176 CRPF local unit laid a cordon and search operation at around 5 am at Yeddipora, Pattan.
Militants had taken shelter inside the residential complex. As we approached towards it the holed up militants fired upon security forces, civilians were taken as hostages.
Security forces retaliated to the gunfire. Our first priority was to evacuate civilians. Once the hostages were rescued, the encounter was carried out, leading to the elimination of three militants.
One army major and two SPOs of police were injured during the evacuation process, adding that their condition is stable.
Two out of three militants were identified as locals, named Shafkat Ali Khan of Rawatpora, Delina and Hanan Bilal Sofi of old town Baramulla. “Two AK-47 riffles, four magazines, one pistol and two pistol magazines besides incriminating matter was recovered from the killed militants,” he said. |
