CRPF trooper, militant killed in encounter in Srinagar

This is the second encounter in Srinagar after the killing of 2 Hizbul men on May 19

security forces encounter rep Representational image | PTI

Terrorist Zahid Daas, accused of killing personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the CRPF and a 6-year-old boy, has been eliminated in Thursday's encounter. "The killer of JKP & CRPF personnel at Bijbehara, Anantnag and one 6-year-old boy, terrorist Zahid Daas killed in yesterday’s encounter at Srinagar. Big success for JKP & CRPF," tweeted Jammu & Kashmir Police quoting IGP Kashmir. 

At the same time, a CRPF trooper was also killed in the encounter at Malbagh in Srinagar that started on Thursday night. The encounter started after security forces cordoned off Malbagh on Thursday night after getting information about the presence of militants in the area, which is on the fringes of Srinagar.

“We lost one boy in the encounter and one terrorists was also killed,’’ said IG Operations CRPF Zulfiqar Hussain. According to sources, the slain CRPF trooper has been identified as Kuldeep Kumar of 118 Battalion. 

"#Encounter has started at #Malbagh area of #Srinagar. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” Kashmir Police had tweeted.

As the security forces zeroed in on the safe house of the militants, the militants opened fire, to which the security forces retaliated. According to sources, the mopping-up operation was on and the identity of the militant is being ascertained.

This is the second encounter in Srinagar after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen central commander Junaid Sehrari and his associate at Kanimazar, Nawakadal in Srinagar on May 19.

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including commander Mhebraj Bangroo, were killed at Syed Ali Akbar in Srinagar on October 17 last year.

It seems the militants, after facing pressure from the security forces in south Kashmir, are moving to Srinagar now.

To date, 129 militants, including six top commanders of different groups, have been killed since this January.