Top JeM Commander Among Two Militants Killed In Shopian Encounter, Bodies Recovered

Umar Rashid
Srinagar: Two militants including a top Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) commander were killed in an encounter with government forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Saturday.
An army spokesman in a statement said that two militants have been killed at Gahand area. He said that both the bodies were recovered along with weapons and warlike stores.
He said that operation in the area is in progress.
A senior Police officer said that the slain militants are affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit.
The officer identified one among the slain as Shahijahan Mir alias Umar Khitab of Amshipora.
He said that the identity of the other militant is being ascertained.
However, as per sources, the identity of another militant is said to be Wilayat Ahmad of Rawalpora.
Earlier, the encounter broke out after a joint team of army’s 34 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation at Gahand area. (GNS)