Baramulla encounter: 4 soldiers, cop injured, operation on

Srinagar, April 21

Four soldiers and a policeman were injured in the gunfight with militants In Baramulla district on Thursday. Two militants including LeT outfit’s commander and the longest surviving militant Mohammad Yousuf Kantroo were killed in the gunfight at Malwah area.

A police officer told GNS all the injured including four soldiers and a policeman, constable Basharat Ahmad, have been hospitalized.

“Top LeT (militant) Commander Yousuf Kantroo killed in Baramulla encounter. He was involved in several killings of civilians & SFs personnel including recent killing of JKP’s SPO & his brother, one soldier and one civilian in Budgam district,” IGP Kashmir said in a tweet. “A big success for us,” he added.

IGP Kashmir told GNS that Kantroo was associated with militancy since 2000 and had recycled twice during more than two decades. He was active since 2017, the IGP added.

The encounter at Malwah area of the district of the north Kashmir had ensued after a joint team of police and army launched a cordon-and-search-operation regarding the presence of the militants.

Three soldier and civilian were injured in the initial phase of encounter, police said. “In the initial exchange of fire, 03 soldiers & a civilian received minor injuries. Operation in progress. Further details will follow,” police had said in a tweet.(GNS)