A day ahead of the Amarnath Yatra, security forces shot dead two local militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday, police said.
Police termed the Kulgam encounter- the second in the last three days- important as the operation site was very close to national highway- the route taken by the Amarnath Yatris to reach Kashmir from Jammu.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this morning flagged off the first batch of pilgrims, from Jammu base camp. Amid unprecedented security cover,the Yatra is scheduled to start from the two base camps in Kashmir on Thursday .
The latest gunfight broke out at Nawapora, Mir Bazar in Kulgam during an anti militancy operation which was launched by joint forces following an input about militant presence.
“As the security forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hidden terrorists opened fire, triggering a gunfight. In the ensuing gunfight two terrorists were killed,” a security official said.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar termed it an important operation.
“Both the killed terrorists have been identified as categorised local terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT. Again an important encounter as the operation site was very close to NHW (#Yatra route),” IGP Kashmir was quoted in a police tweet.
Police identified the slain as Yasir Wani of Wangund Kulgam and Raees Manzoor of Chotipora, Shopian.
“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including an AK-47 rifle and a pistol recovered,” police spokesman said.
This is the second gunfight in Kulgam district in the last three days. On June 27, two Lashkar militants were killed at Nowpora-Kherpora, Trubji village- also close to the National Highway.
Lashkar’s frontal organisation “The Resistance Front” had earlier this month threatened to attack pilgrims, claiming they are being used by the at centre for demographic and political gains
UNI
