2022: 10 days, 7 encounters; 13 militants killed

Kulgam, Jan 10: Two Al-Badr militants were killed in an overnight encounter at Hasanpora village located on the border of Kulgam and Anatnag districts of south Kashmir, police said Monday. The first ten days of year 2022 have recorded seven encounters resulting in the killing of 13 militants.

A police official told news agency Kashmir News Observer that acting on a specific lead about the presence of militants in village Hassanpora bordering twin districts of Kulgam and Anantang, a joint cordon was laid by police and 1 RR in the area on Sunday late evening.

“As the security forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately triggering an encounter. The fire was retaliated and the heavy exchange of fire took place,” the official said. “In the ensuing encounter, two militants of Al-Badr were killed and their bodies retrieved from the site. They have been identified as Imad Muzaffar Wani, resident of Arigam, Pulwama and Abdur Rashid Tokher, resident of Hassanpora.” Police said that both were involved in several cases.

Pertinently, the year 2022 started with encounters and as per official figures, in the first ten days of the New Year, 13 militants were killed in seven encounters. The slain includes top Lashkar-e-Toiba Saleem Parray. Srinagar district witnessed two encounters, Kulgam two, Kupwara one, Pulwama and Budgam one encounters each, figures state.  (KNO)