Srinagar, December 29 (KNO) : At least four militants were killed in a gunfight between forces and militants in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday while scores of persons were injured in the clashes that erupted near gunfight site this morning. One among the injured has been rushed to Srinagar’s hospital fro specialized treatment.
“Based on a credible input about the presence of militants in Hanjan Payeen area of district Pulwama, a cordon and search operation was launched today morning jointly by Police, army and paramilitary forces in the area,” police spokesman as per KNO said.
“As the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the militants. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight,” police said, adding that in the ensuing encounter, four militants were killed and the bodies were recovered from the site of encounter.
The slain militants were identified as Muzamil Nabi Dar of Rohmoo, Muzamil Nazir Bhat of Prichoo, Waseem Akram Wani of Tikken and a non-local Haris. “Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter,” he said, adding that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter.
Police later appealed the people not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any,” police spokesman said.
Meanwhile, scores of persons were also injured during the clashes that erupted between forces and youth in the area.
Reports said that as soon as the gunfight broke out, scores of youth took to the streets amid pro-freedom sloganeering and started pelting stones on forces, who in retaliation used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth, resulting in injuries to several protesters.
Sources said that the injured youth were either shifted to nearby hospital for treatment or were treated locally, adding that one among the injured was shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of the slain militants. Amid pro-freedom sloganeering, the slain militants were laid to rest at their native villages. The mobile internet services were also suspended across the district soon after the encounter broke out in the village.(KNO)