Five militants were killed in a gun battle with security forces in north Kashmir’s Sopore area. The forces of SOG Sopore, 22 RR and 179BN CRPF had launched a joint search operation last night in the area on a tip-off about the presence of militants in Saidpora village, a police spokesman said.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) Kilo Force Sarv Chand claimed that during the operation, one residential house was blasted which damaged a cowshed as well and five militants have been killed so far.
Inspector General (opt.) CRPF, S S Sandhu, who visited the spot, claimed the killing of militants was a major success in the fight against militancy in the north Kashmir. “It is a recent group that moved from north Kashmir as Lashkar-e-Toiba has depleted in Sopore,” IG said.
The identity of the slain militants is being ascertained among one have been identified as Atir alias Navid, a Class 10 student of model town Sopore. Sources said Atir had recently joined militant ranks. However, initial investigation has shown that the militants belong to the LeT outfit.
However while filling this report police sources added that the actual number of militants killed or trapped is yet to ascertain. They added that the operation was stopped due to darkness and the search operation will be resumed in the morning.
