Last Surviving Militant of Burhan Wani’s Troupe Killed in Shopian

According to preliminary information, all the militants were affiliated to Hizbul Mujahideen.

A group photo of Hizb and Lashkar militants clicked at an unknown location()

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook)

Three unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in poll-bound Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, 3 May, an army official said.

One of the slain militants is believed to be Lateef 'Tiger', the last surviving militant of the ten associates of HM commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in July 2016.

An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the Imam Sahib area of Shopian following a cordon and search operation in the early hours, according to the army official said.

The official said initially a brief exchange of firing took place between the two sides, prompting the security forces to strengthen the cordon to prevent the militants from escaping.

“Three militants have been killed in the operation, which was going on when last reports came in. War like stores and weapons have been recovered from the scene of the encounter.”

Army Official

Clashes between protestors and law enforcing personnel broke out near the encounter site after some people pelted stones at the security forces engaged in the anti-militancy operation, a police official said.

He said two persons sustained minor pellet injuries in the security forces' action to chase away the miscreants.

According to preliminary information, the militants were affiliated to Hizbul Mujahideen.

An official confirmation to this effect can only be made after proper identification process is completed, he added.

Shopian and Pulwama districts will go to polls in the third and final phase for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency on 6 May.