3 militants and a girl killed in Kupwara encounter

Kupwara, March 15: Three militants and a little girl were killed in an encounter in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.
Sources said that Army and Special Operation Group personnel of Jammu Kashmir Police started an operation in Kalaroos after receiving inputs about the presence of group of militants in the area. Sources added that militants resorted to indiscriminate firing that resulted in the injuries of an SOG man whom police identified as Danish Ahmed.
“During the operation three militants were neutralized while a girl Kaneeza lost her life and a boy Faisal Ahmed suffered injuries due to stray bullets,” a police official said adding that the identity of the militants is being ascertained while initial reports suggest that they are all non-local militants.
Both the injured SOG man the little boy have been shifted to Srinagar hospitals for treatment. An Army official said that three weapons were recovered from the encounter site.
Giving details about the encounter, a police handout said that acting on a specific information, Kupwara police along with 41 RR, and 98 CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Jugtiyal, Hyhama in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kupwara.
“During the searches, militants present in the area fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter. Three LeT militants were killed in this encounter. The identity of these militants is being ascertained. One police constable identified as Danish Ahmad was also injured in the encounter. He was shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment.”
“A minor girl namely Kaneeza and a minor boy Faisal were injured after they were hit by stray bullets more than 100 meters away from the encounter site. They were shifted to hospital for treatment where the girl succumbed to her injuries. The boy has been referred to Srinagar and his condition is stable so far.” (CNS)