SRINAGAR, APR 25
: Two local militants affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday morning.
The slain militant was identified as Safder Amin Bhat, 25, son of Mohammad Amin, a resident of Zirpara Bijbehara. Safder joined militancy on 12-05-2017, after clearing his 12th class exam. He was affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.
Another slain militant was identified as Burhan Ahmad Ganie @ Saifullah, 25, son of Ghulam Mohammad Ganie, a resident of Malipora Hablish Kulgam, at present SK Colony Anantnag. Burhan had cleared 12th class and was undergoing Bachelor of Physiotherapy. He joined militant ranks (HM) on 24-06-2018.
The duo was killed in a gunfight, which ensued after the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and Kashmir Police SoG launched a cordon and search operation in Baagandar Mohalla following inputs about the presence of the militants in the area.
Reports said that soon after the searches were intensified, the militants opened fire at the security personnel, who retaliated immediately.
Police in a statement said the two bodies have been recovered from the site. A police spokesperson said that Safder was 25-years-old and had joined HM in May 2017, while Burhan alias Saifullah was an active member of HM since June 24, 2018.
According to official figures, 71 militants have already been killed this year. Last year the number of militants killed reached 272. Post-Pulwama attacks, 41 militants, including 25 Jaish-e-Mohammad militant, have been killed.
Army sources said that after stringent action against terrorists in the valley number of stone pelting incidents, recruitment and casualties of civilians have gone down in Kashmir valley.
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