Eight militants killed in Pulwama, Shopian

SRINAGAR: Srinagar: Armed forces killed eight militants in two separate encounters in Pulwama and Shopian districts of southern Kashmir in the last 24 hours.

Both the encounters continued overnight. Five militants were killed in Shopian while three were killed in the Pampore area of Pulwama. Of the three, two took refuge in a mosque in Pampore after being injured.

They were killed with smoke canisters and armed forces claimed that they didn’t use any explosive devices, as is the routine in other encounters. J&K police chief Dilbag Singh said over 115 militants were killed in J&K this year, which includes 12 militants who were killed in Jammu region. Around 50 militants killed this year were associated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Out of the 49 locals, who have joined militant ranks in Kashmir this year, 28 have been already killed.


“Last 18 months have been one of the most peaceful periods in Kashmir. We have saved a sizable number of youth from joining militant ranks. We are ready to help those who will surrender their weapons,” said Singh.