Gunfight erupts after security forces receive input about militants' presence

An Army officer was critically wounded in an ongoing gunfight in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday, sources said.

The gunfight erupted when the joint operation was launched by forces early morning following an input about militant presence at Yedipora Pattan.

“The cordon was laid and contact with the militant was established. An Army Major was critically wounded in the initial exchange of fire,” sources said, adding that two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area.

There is, however, no official word from the Army so far about any injuries during the operation.

An Army statement said the joint operation is in progress.

“Joint operation was launched early morning today. Cordon was laid and contact was established. Firefight ensued. Joint operation in progress,” the statement said.

On Thursday evening three suspected three Lashkar-e-Toiba over ground workers were arrested from Pattan area by the joint force.

The workers were arrested at a Naka set up by forces, according to a police officer.

“During routine checking three persons moving from Zangam crossing to main market Pattan on national highway Baramulla road were observed moving in a suspicious manner. The individuals were challenged to which they tried to flee. The Naka personnel cordoned and apprehended the fleeing individuals. On spot frisking and physical search three grenades were recovered from them,” a police officer in Baramulla said.

The three were identified by police as Abid Parvaiz of Andergam Pattan, Javaid Hassan Ittoo of Goushbugh Pattan and Jan Nissar Khaliq of Chanderhama Pattan.

“All three were working as OGW for Lashkar,” the officer said.

Courtesy : Daily Tribune:  4thSeptember, 2020