Two militants killed in Shopian gunfight

Srinagar, Apr 6: An M.Tech student was among the two militants who were killed in a brief shoot-out with the government forces at Imam Sahab area of Shopian in South Kashmir on Saturday, police said.
A police spokesperson said that acting on a specific tip-off, the area was sealed by army, police and paramilitary as the militants hiding in a residential house opened fire during the search, triggering off an encounter.
“The militants opened a heavy volume of fire at the forces and in the ensuing gunfight, two militants were killed,” the spokesperson said.
Additional Director General of Police Law and order, Security, Munir Khan said that two militants were killed and their identities were being ascertained.
However, police sources said that one of the two slain militants was identified as Rahil Rashid Sheikh, an M.Tech student from Nunner area of Ganderbal. Rahil had joined militancy a few days ago.
The second militant, the sources said, was identified as Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Keegam, Shopian. “Both the slain militants were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit,” sources added.
Soon after the encounter ended, groups of youth resorted to heavy stone pelting on the forces triggering massive clashes. Witnesses said that forces fired in air to disperse the angry protestors. In Keegam, the native village of slain Bilal, thousands of mourners were waiting for his body amid wails and sobs.

Off-duty Army soldier shot dead in Sopore
GNS
Srinagar, Apr 6: Suspected militants on Saturday shot dead an army man in Warpora Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Reports said that the gunmen fired upon Mohammad Rafeeq Yatoo at his home at Warpora at around 5:25 pm.
Yatoo taken to nearby hospital, however, he died on the way, they said.
Sources said that Yatoo, a soldier with Jakli, was at home on leave when he was fired upon.
SSP Sopore Javid Iqbal told GNS that the militants fired upon Yatoo from point blank range and he suffered critical injuries.
He said that a team of security forces has been rushed to the spot and further details are awaited.
Meanwhile, Army, Special Operations Group of Police and CRPF cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the attackers.