Security forces have killed five militants, including two who killed a 12-year-old boy held hostage, in separate encounters on Friday in Bandipora and Shopian districts of Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported. With this, the number of militants gunned down since Thursday has risen to seven. Forces had killed two militants in an overnight gunfight in Hajin area of Bandipora district.
The encounter had started when the security forces were conducting a cordon and search operation in Hajin area following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants. They rescued one civilian who was held hostage on Thursday evening. However, the 12-year-old boy, identified as Aatif Ahmad, was killed.
“Two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in the Hajin encounter,” a police spokesperson said. “From incriminating material, they were identified as Pakistani nationals, Ali and Hubaib.”
Meanwhile, in another encounter that broke out in Sopore between militants and security personnel, one militant was killed, PTI quoted an official as saying.
The two militants who were killed in another encounter in Kandi area of Baramulla’s Kalantara on Thursday have been identified as Amir Kaboo of Sopore and a Pakistani person. Both militants were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad, police said. Three jawans were injured in the operation.
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