Srinagar, Jan 22 (UNI) Security forces on Saturday shot dead two local militants of The Resistance Front in Kashmir Valley.
The gun battle erupted at Kilbal in Shopian district, when the security forces launched a cordon and search operation.
"As the joint team approached the suspected spot in a residential area, the hidden militants fired, triggering a gunfight. In the operation, two militants were killed," it added.
Police said the two locals were affiliated with TRF, a shadow group of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba
They have been identified as Sameer Ahmad Shah, resident of Dhangam Shopian and Rayees Ahmad Mir of Takiya Wahgam Pulwama.
"As per police records, both the killed terrorists were part of group involved in several terror crime cases, including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities," a police spokesman said.
"Incriminating material, arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter," he added.
This year, 16 militants, including some top commanders, have been killed in eight gunfights in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, a militant associate and an over ground worker were arrested in Kashmir in two different operations.
An alleged over ground worker was arrested late Friday night in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district.
Police identified the arrested OGW as 33-year-old Fareed Ahmad Chowhan, resident of Reshwari, Awoora Kupwara. Chowhan was also Panchayat ward member Zurhama, Kupwara, police said.
"… Fareed was moving in suspicious circumstances in the area, when local people surrounded him and informed the police about it late last evening. Acting on the tip-off, local police, along with a team of TA 160 Bn, apprehended Fareed, who was subjected to personal search. During his personal search a Chinese Pistol was recovered from his possession,” a police statement said.
He was taken into custody and a case under relevant provisions of law was registered against him at Police Station Trehgam and investigation taken up.
In another operation, a suspected militant associate of Jaish-e-Mohammad was arrested in south Kashmir's Awantipora sub district.
Police said Umer Farooq Bhat of Renzipora Awantipora was arrested by joint teams of forces.
"The terrorist associate was linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM. Incriminating material, including a hand grenade, has been recovered from his possession," said police.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested terror associate was involved in providing shelter, logistic support, transportation of arms/ammunition and assisting the terrorists to shift their locations.
"Besides, he was also passing sensitive information regarding the movement of police and security forces to the terrorists of proscribed outfit JeM," he added.
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