Two militants shot dead in Pampore mosque, search operation continues in Shopia

Srinagar, Ta. 19 June 2020, Friday

Encounters between security forces and militants have resumed at Avantipora and Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. One militant was killed on Thursday at Avantipora and the other two militants hid in a nearby mosque who were shot dead during an encounter on Friday morning. A terrorist was also killed at Shopian's Munand on Thursday and a search operation is underway.

Security forces conducted a search operation in Avantipora's Maj Pampore on Thursday after receiving inputs that the militants were hiding. At that moment, the militants started firing and in retaliation, the security forces killed one militant. At the time, the other two militants had infiltrated the local Jama Masjid.

Security forces requested the militants to surrender but they refused, so on Friday morning, Special Operations Group (SOG) commandos stormed the mosque and killed both militants. What is special is that the security forces did not use firing or IEDs and the bodies of both the terrorists have been recovered.

The security forces have launched a search operation in Shopian's Munand. One militant was killed in the clashes at the site on Thursday. Security forces believe more terrorists are hiding in the area so the entire area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway.

Security forces are cracking down on militants in Shopia and more than 15 militants have been killed in the last two weeks. Security forces have cleared about 100 militants this year and they now want to eliminate the militants from North Kashmir, he said.