Fresh Encounter Update: House damaged partially in gunfight, identity of slain being ascertained

Fresh Encounter Update: House damaged partially in gunfight, identity of slain being ascertained, say officials

Srinagar, Dec 30 : The encounter that raged between militants at Lawaypora area of Srinagar outskirts yesterday evening ended today with the killing of  three unidentified militants, officials said.

“Three unidentified militants have been killed while search operation is on. The house where militants were hiding suffered partial damage,” the official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer

Yesterday,  a top security official had told KNO that on a specific input about the presence of militants in Lawaypora, after which police, army’s 2 RR and CRPF laid a cordon. “As forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, they fired at the forces triggering a fierce gunfight,” he had said, wishing anonymity.

The official said that given the darkness, the operation is being conducted “deliberately.” “Firing is going on intermittently. The militants, two in number, had taken refuge in a nearby concrete house,” he said.

The cordon layers in and around the area were tightened and all entry and exit points were sealed with additional reinforcements of security forces deployed in the area to prevent militants from fleeing.

“Lights were installed and security forces are maintaining calm to avoid any collateral damage in the area,” the official said.

Meanwhile, since the encounter has affected the traffic on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway, the vehicles coming from Baramulla, Sopore, Gulmarg, towards Srinagar continued to remain diverted via Magam-Budgam towards Srinagar and vice-versa. “Inconvenience caused to the commuters is deeply regretted,” an official said