Srinagar: Mobile internet services were suspended in Kashmir on Wednesday after a top militant commander was trapped in an encounter with security forces in South Kashmir’s Awantipora, officials said.
The mobile internet has been suspended as a precautionary measure, they said. A cordon and search operation had begun last night after security forces were tipped off about the presence of militants in Beighpora area.
“Contact established in the third operation at #Beighpors #Awantipur. Top terrorist commander is trapped. Exchange of fire on. Details shall follow,” J&K Police said on Twitter. Senior official has been monitoring the situation since last night, the police added.
Meanwhile, two militants were killed in a separate encounter in Sharshali Khrew area in Awantipora. Kashmir Zone Police said the encounter began at 1 am and is still ongoing.
There has been an increase in anti-militancy operations in valley during the last couple of weeks. On Sunday, five security personnel including two top army officers and a J&K Police officer were killed in an encounter with militants in Handwara. And three CRPF men were killed after militants attacked a joint checkpoint in Handwara on Monday evening. A 14-year-old handicapped boy too was killed in the shootout.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Tuesday had said that anti-militancy operations will be intensified further in coming time.
“You must have seen that security arrangements are already strengthen and anti-militancy operations are going on and in coming time they [operation] will be further intensified,” the DGP said while speaking to media during wreath laying ceremony of three CRPF men.
