Two Suspected Militants And A Woman Killed in Shopian Encounter

A third militant has escaped.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Shopian on the evening of 18 December.

(Photo: ANI)

A woman and two unidentified militants were killed during an overnight encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, 19 December, reported PTI.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Wanipora area of Shopian on Monday evening following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

The official added that the search operation turned into an encounter as the militants opened fire on the security forces.

Two militants were killed while the third militant apparently managed to escape from the spot.

Police official to PTI

He said a woman was injured during the exchange of fire. She was shifted to a hospital but succumbed to injuries.

We are ascertaining the circumstances in which she was injured, causing her death.

Police official to PTI

Army vehicle in Shopian.

Security personnel raid a house where a militant is believed to be holed up.

Military officials during the search operation.

Some pelted stones at security forces during the operation, prompting use of crowd control weapons, including tear gas to disperse them, he said.

Inspector general of police (Kashmir) Muneer Khan said they are looking for the third militant and added that the operation has concluded now.

Two terrorists were killed and their bodies were recovered. We are looking for the third terrorist who escaped just as the cordon was being laid. The operation has now been concluded. Withdrawal of troops is in progress.

Muneer Khan to ANI

The police has asked people to refrain from going near the encounter site as the area has not yet been “sanitised”.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI.)

(This is a developing story. Details awaited.)