SRINAGAR, May 28: Two militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) were killed in a brief gun battle in Sheetipora village of Bijbehara in Anantnag district this eveningActing on a specific input, police, Army’s 3 RR and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in Sheetipora village of Bijbehara this evening.As the troops intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the security forces, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.Two local militants affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in the encounter.Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, identified the duo as Ishfaq Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Chakwangund, Anantnag and Yawar Ayub Dar of Dogripora Awantipora. He said that they were involved in several militancy related cases.“Killed militants identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Ganie of Chakwangund, Anantnag and Yawar Ayub Dar of Dogripora, Awantipora, affiliated with HM. The duo was involved in several militancy related incidents in Kashmir.As per police records, the duo were part of groups involved in several attacks on security forces and civilians. Besides, Yawar was also involved in an attempt to murder attack on a GRP personnel at Railway Station Panzgam on 04.12.2021 and IED blast on CRPF bunker at Larmoo area on 02.05.2022. Ashfaq was active since 22-03-2020.It may be mentioned here that 12 militants including six locals and equal number of foreigners were killed in the Valley in the last four days. On 25th May, three non-local militants affiliated with JeM and a cop was killed in a chance encounter in Kreeri area of Baramulla.On 26th May, three non-local LeT militants and an Army porter were killed in an encounter in Kupwara district. Two newly recruited local militants affiliated with LeT – Shahid Mushtaq Bhat from Hafroo Chadoora and Farhan Habib from Hakripora Pulwama who were involved in the killing of TV artist Amreen Bhat were killed in an encounter in Aganhanzipora Awantipora on May 27.On same day, two newly recruited LeT militants namely Shakir Ahmed Waza and Afreen Aftab Bhat both residents of Trenz Shopian were killed in an encounter in Soura, Srinagar.In Kashmir, 82 militants including 26 foreigners were killed this year so far by the security forces. For the whole of last year, 193 militants were killed while 232 were shot dead in 2020.
