Tral gunfight ends, Two militants, 1 SOG Man killed

Srinagar, Mar 05: Two militants and an SOG man of police were killed in the encounter that erupted between militants and government forces in Heffo hamlet of southern Kashmir’s Tral in Pulwama district.
Director General of Police, S P Vaid told News Agency that two bodies of the militants have been recovered from the rubble of the house where the encounter took place. The militants have been identified as Aqib Molvi of Hayuna, Tral and Umar of Pakistan.
The encounter resumed today evening after one of the militant fired from the debris of the house. “We found two bodies in the rubble in the afternoon. When our men went to collect them, one of the militants, who had pretended to be dead, fired from the rubble in which one of our constable was injured in his leg due to a bullet fired from the militant,” Vaid told.
“The militant was killed in the retaliatory fire from security forces,” the DGP said, adding, that the operation is “almost over” as security forces are clearing the debris from any ammunition. He said that an AK-47 has so far been recovered from Aqib molvi.
The gunfight began last evening when government forces cordoned off Hafoo hamlet in Nazneepora area in Tral. “We had specific inputs about presence of militants in the village,” Vaid said.
The gunfight lasted for more than 20 hours, with exchange of heavy gunfire between militants and forces. Forces used IED blasts to raze the house to the ground.
An SOG man, Manzoor Ahmad Naik of Uri, of police was also killed while five forces personnel, including an army major, one policeman, two soldiers and a CRPF trooper, were injured in the encounter. “The army major was injured in his jaw, while other security personnel have received injuries.”
Clashes erupted near the encounter site as protesters pelted stones on the forces and raised pro-freedom slogans.
Witnesses said that several protesters were injured in the clashes as forces fired teargas canisters and pellets to disperse the protesters and carry on their operation.
Reports said that more than five civilians were injured, among which one was rushed to Srinagar hospital.
DGP Vaid said that few civilians might have been injured during the clashes. “One civilian was injured who has been rushed to Bones and Joints hospital for treatment. We are collecting details of other civilians who may have got injured during the clashes.(KNS)