SRINAGAR, JUNE 03 : One militant and one overground worker (OGW) of a militant group were killed in an encounter between security forces and militant in Molu-Chitragam area of Shopian district on Monday.
The gunfight broke out after the militants opened fire on a patrol party of the Rashtriya Rifles in Chitragam village of Shopian district in the early hours of Monday.
A patrol party of Rastriya Rifles was fired upon today by militants travelling in a vehicle in Chitragam village of Shopian district. The fire was returned resulting in a brief shootout in which one militant and an OGW were killed.
Forces identified the slain militant as Firdous Ahmad Bhat and the OGW was Sajad Ahmad Dar. Both the men hailed from Kulgam district.
Police sources said that the militant’s and OGW’s affiliation was being ascertained. OGWs are the overground workers who act as eyes and ears of terrorist organisations in the area. They track the movement of security forces, arrange shelter and hideouts for the terrorists and also help them with logical support.
Meanwhile, authorities have suspended internet services in Kulgam area as a precautionary measure. Notably, this is the second such encounter in a week.
Meanwhile, officials revealed on Sunday more than 100 militants, including 23 foreigners, have been eliminated in Jammu and Kashmir in the first five months of 2019.
However, in a cause of concern, at least 50 youngsters have also joined several terror outfits since March. As per the data presented in the Parliament, the number of youths taking up arms in the Valley has seen a steady rise since 2014, as compared to 2010-2013.
