Twenty people, including 13 militants, four civilians and three soldiers, were killed in three separate encounters in Kashmir today, marking one of the bloodiest days in the Valley this year.
Security forces said that the militants killed today also included the ones involved in the kidnapping and murder of Lt Umer Fayaz in Kulgam on April 10, 2017.
The operations were initiated after the security forces were tipped about the presence of militants in Anantnag and Shopian last night.
Seven militants, including two commanders involved in the killing of Lt Fayaz, were killed at Dragad village in Shopian. The firefight started after the forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.
The slain militants were identified as Zubair Ahmad Murray, Ishfaq Ahmad Malik, Yawar, Nazim Ahmad Dar, Adil Ahmad Thokar, Ubaid Ahmad Malla and Reyaz Ahmad Thokar. Army said Malik and Thokar were involved in the assassination of Lt Fayaz.
“Most importantly, out of the seven terrorists killed in the second operation (at Dragad) we have information that we have killed two of the terrorists involved in the killing of Lt Umer Fayaz,'' said Srinagar-based 15 Corps commander Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt. ''We have avenged his killing.''
In another encounter at Kachidoora in Shopian, three soldiers and three militants were killed. The owner of the house where the militants were hiding was also killed in the encounter. The encounter began after security forces received an input about the presence of militants in the village.
“Three bodies of terrorists were recovered in Kachidoora, Shopian,” tweeted J&K Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid.
At Peth Dialgam in Anantnag, a local militant was killed while another surrendered.
“The total number of terrorists neutralised in today’s three encounters is 11,” Vaid said. '”The number could rise after the rubble of the house is removed.''
Vaid said SSP Anantnag, Altaf Khan tried to persuade the militants to surrender at Dialgam. “He called the family members of the terrorist and talked to him for about 30 minutes to persuade him to leave the path of violence,'' Vaid said. ''But unfortunately, he did not heed the advice of his family and opened fired.''
After that, the Police and forces retaliated and the militant was killed. ''The other one was caught alive without harm,” Vaid said.
Vaid renewed his appeal to the parents to persuade their children to leave the violent path. “It is painful for all of us to see the loss of young lives. That is why my appeal to the parents of the young boys who have taken the wrong path that they should convince them to come home”, he said.