SRINAGAR, JAN 30 : Two militants who were trapped in an encounter at Batpora Lelhara village of Kakapora belt in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district have surrendered before forces, officials said on Saturday.
They said that two militants surrendered before senior officers of police and security forces along with 02 AK 47 rifles.
They further added that one militant who was injured during encounter has been shifted to hospital for treatment.
“#LelharEncounterUpdate: Both #terrorists #surrendered along with 02 AK 47 rifles before senior officers of police & SFs. One #terrorist who was injured in #encounter has been shifted to hospital for medical treatment.” Kashmir’ police zone tweeted.
A police spokesman in a statement said that during the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained, they fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated leading to encounter.
“However, the joint forces showed utmost restraint and provided them with an opportunity to surrender. Family members of the trapped militants were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender,” said the spokesman.
“Due to the great efforts and utmost patience of police, forces and repeated surrender appeals with the help of their family members both the militants ultimately surrendered and laid down their arms before the joint forces,” he said.
A senior police officer said that both militants are locals and they surrendered after hectic efforts of police, army, CRPF and their parents.
“They have been identified as Akeel Ahmad Lone son of Mohammad Abdullah resident of Lelhar and Rouf Ahmad son of Ghulam Qadir Sheikh resident of Wasoora Pulwama. Both the militants were affiliated with proscribed outfit HM. During initial exchange of fire, one of the militant Akeel Ahmad Lone got injured who was evacuated to hospital for treatment,” he added.
Earlier, three militants were killed in a brief shootout on Friday evening in the Mandoora village of the Tral area. The three were identified as Waris Hassan, Arif Bashir, and Ahtishamul Haq, all locals and members of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, Kashmir region police chief Vijay Kumar said in an official statement.
As a precautionary measure internet services have been snapped in entire Pulwama district.
According to official figures, 225 militants including many top commanders were killed in 103 operations in Jammu and Kashmir last year in 2020
