Mohammad Sarfaraz
Early Times Report
KUPWARA, Sept 11: Two LeT militants were killed today in an encounter that erupted in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district, while as suspected militants lobed hand grenade on army bunker in Sopore town. A senior police official told early times that two militants were killed today in a gunfight with the security forces in Galoora area of Handwara town. The gunfight began early morning as the army's 30 RR, 92 bn CRPF, and SOG launched a cordon and search operation in Galoora area of Langate after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of militants in the area, the official said. He said that the search operation turned into a gun battle as the militants fired upon the search party of the forces who retaliated and in the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed. The gunfight started after a CASO was launched in the village at around 2:30 am following specific information about the presence of some militants, the official said. The official identified the slain militants as Liyaqat Ahmad a resident of Harwan Sopore and Furkaan Ahmad of Langate Handwara, adding both were affiliated with Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT) militant outfit. However on late Tuesday police issued a statement which claimed that Furqan Rashid Lone alias Adil son of Ab Rashid, a resident of Shartpora, Langate was affiliated with LeT. He was wanted in a number of criminal cases registered at Police Station Handwara: FIR No. 271/2016 U/S 148, 149, 307, 436, 332 RPC of Police Station Handwara; FIR No.334/2016 U/S 148,149,307,436, 332 RPC of Police Station Handwara; FIR No.357/2017 U/S 120RPC, 18 ULA of Police Station Handwara. Liyaqat Ahmad Lone alias Sahaba alias Umar Khalid, son of Gh Mohi-u-din Lone, a resident of Harwan, Sopore and affiliated with LeT.
Statement said that he had a long history of involvement in militancy-related activities and was wanted in a number of criminal cases FIR No. 45/2016 under section 18b, 20 ULA of Police Station Bomia; FIR 81/2017 under section 363, 376 RPC of Police Station Bomai. Liyaqat along with other LeT militants Gani Khawaja resident of Kralgund and Majid Mir resident of Nowpora Sopore is involved in case of FIR No.70/2018 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act of Police Station Bomai regarding the murder of Hakim-ur-Rehman Sultani resident of Bomai on August 09, 2018, said police statement.
Meanwhile the blast created panic in the area after suspected militants on Tuesday hurled a grenade on an army bunker in Sopore area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district, said police official. Official sources said that the militants lobbed a grenade on army Bunker near Degree College Sopore, however there was no loss of life or injury reported so far.
Sources said that a blast like the sound was heard around the army camp. |
