One of them was involved in recent killing of a teacher

Four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in Kulgam and Anantnag on Thursday. Kulgam’s was the third day of an ongoing operation in Mishipora village which saw the elimination of two terrorists. Both were local residents. Vijay Kumar, IGP, Kashmir zone, said one of the slain militants, Zubair Sofi, of Mohan Pora village had been involved in the killing of a schoolteacher, Rajni Bala, in Kulgam. The 36-year-old teacher, hailing from Samba, was killed on May 31 at her school in Gopalpora. The identification of the other militant is yet to be ascertained.

The operation began on Tuesday when the Army and the police launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area. In the initial exchange of fire, the militants managed to escape. On Thursday, security forces established fresh contact with the militants, apparently hiding in a dense orchard. “Two militants were killed and the operation continues,” the police said.

In Anantnag district, the police said they had established contact with militants of Hizbul Mujahideen hiding in Hangalgund of the Kokernag area. A little later, two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were gunned down. Both have been identified as Junaid and Basit Bhat. Basit had killed a sarpanch, Rasool Dar, and his wife (panch) last year in Anantnag, the IGP added. Till the filing of this report, the operation had been going on.

In Pulwama, security forces averted a major tragedy by recovering an IED weighing 15 kg. It was planted by militants in Armullah village. “Two terrorist associates have been arrested,” the police added.

Courtesy: The Tribune India :16th June , 2022