Srinagar, May 04:Police on Tuesday said two militants were killed in a gunfight with militants in Nathipora area of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla. 

Senior Superintendent (SSP) of Police Sopore, Sudhanshu Verma told Rising Kashmir that two militants were killed in the joint operation.

The officer said the anti-militancy operation was launched today evening by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Police, paramilitary CRPF, and Army following intelligence inputs.

He said as the search parties were zeroing in on the suspected location, the hiding militants opened fire at them who retaliated, triggering a gunfight.

A Police officer said the militants were asked to surrender but they didn’t give up arms and were killed in the operation.

The police identified one militant as top commander Hamas alias Asrar of Pakistan affiliated with LeT outfit. 

Police said he was active since 2018 and was in the list of top 60 militants released by JK Police  recently.

“He was also very instrumental in recruiting youth for militancy beside killing two councillors Peer Riyaaz and Peer Shamusdin and an SPO Shafaat Ahmed on 29 March, 2021,” police said. 

The police also identified another militant as a recent recruit Waseem Nazir Lone son of Nazir Ahmad Lone of  Hathlangoo, Sopore.

“He was also working as OGW till he went missing and joined  LeT organisation,” said Police official. 

The Police said it was a major success for the forces.

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe complicity in militant crimes,” the police officer said.

The officer said the dead bodies of the slain militant will be sent to Baramulla graveyard for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities.

“People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials. The nearest family members of the killed militant would be allowed to participate in last rites. In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated,” he said.