SRINAGAR 19 JUNE: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday issued the following statement two south Kashmir encounters in Bandhpawa Munand area of Shopian and Meej Pampore area of Awantipora saying that today, four more militants were killed in Shopian (total five) while as two more militants were killed in Awantipora (total three). In the said ensuing encounters total of eight militants were killed.
A police spokesman in a statement said that during Meej Pampore encounter, one militant was killed in the initial exchange of fire and two others took shelter in a local Mosque.
However, to maintain the sanctity of the Mosque and ensure zero damage to it, Police and SFs exhibited the highest level of patience & professionalism and before using tear smoke shells both the hiding militants were repeatedly appealed to surrender but they didn’t and were ultimately neutralized. The locals of the area have applauded and thanked for the patient role of Police & SFs that ensured zero damage to the Mosque, besides maintaining its sanctity,” said the spokesman.
The spokesman said that IGP Kashmir appreciates the role of police and SFs for conducting both operations professionally without any collateral damage and also thanked the general public of the areas for maintaining peace.
Bodies of all the eight slain militants were retrieved from the encounter sites. The identification and affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained,” he said.
The spokesman said that the dead bodies of the slain militants have been sent to Baramulla for conducting medico-legal formalities including a collection of their DNA followed by their last rites.
In case any family claims the slain militant to be their kith or kin, can come forward for the identification and participation in last rites at Baramulla, he said.
The spokesman in a statement said that incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from both the encounter sites. All these materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other crimes.
“Cases under relevant sections of law stands already registered in respective Police Stations and further investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” said police spokesman in a statement.
