Major, jawan martyred in Kashmir encounters; two militants also killed

Srinagar, Aug 3 :  A senior Army officer and a soldier were killed and another jawan was injured when gunmen attacked a patrol party in Shopian while two local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) were killed in an ambush by security forces in Kulgam district early today. Meanwhile, authorities suspended mobile service, imposed Restrictions under Section 144 CrPC and ordered closure of educational institutions in Kulgam district as a precautionary measure to prevent any law and order problem. Official sources told UNI that a patrol party of 62 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) came under heavy volume of fire by militants at Zeepora, Shopian, in south Kashmir at 0330 hrs early this morning resulting in injuries to three soldiers. The soldiers were shifted to 92 base hospital where Major Kamlesh Panday and another injured jawan succumbed. They said the entire Zaripora and adjoining areas have been sealed and a massive search operation has been launched against the militants reportedly holed up there. However, it is reported the militants had managed to escape under the cover of darkness and orchards. There was no firing in the area, they said. Defence ministry spokesman Lt Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI that on a specific information about the militant movement, security forces had laid down an ambush at Gopalpora, Kulgam. However, when two militants were asked to surrender, they opened fire, he said, adding that in the retaliatory action, they were gunned down. Two weapons were recovered, he said, adding that the operation is over and the identity of the slain militants was being ascertained. However, a police spokesman said one of the slain militant was involved in the killing of five policemen and guards of a bank van in south Kashmir last month. In a tweet he said “Two militants killed by @JmuKmrPolice and SF in Gopalpora Kulgam. One of them was involved in killing of 5 policemen & guards of bank Van”. A senior police officer told reporters near the site of encounter that it was a clean operation as there was no injury to security forces or civilians or damage to property. He said it was a big success as both the militants Aquib Itoo and Suhail Ahmad were involved in many militancy related incidents. One ak rifle and one INSAN rifle, which was snatched by militants from a police guard at Bogam besides other arms and ammunition have been recovered from the slain militants, he said. The authorities have imposed restrictions under Section 144 CrPC in Kulgam to prevent any law and order problem following death of the militants. UNI