Civilian killed in Bijbehara gunfight identified

Anantnag: A militant and a civilian were killed during a gunfight in Kanelwan village of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district late last night, police said.

The slain civilian has been identified as Ghulam Mohiuddin who was a resident of Arwani area.

Earlier, an official said that Army’s 3 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF 40/90 BN and Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K Police launched a search operation in Kanelwan after “specific input” about presence of three militants in Herpora Kanelwan.

He said that militants fired on the search party, resulting in exchange of fire.

He said two militants took advantage of darkness and managed to give a slip to forces and opening fire around midnight.

Security forces chase away protestors during a protest demonstration in Srinagar

“Cut-off party of Army retaliated [to the] fire. Later on, it was learnt one individual riding a motorcycle Yamaha Libero (JK13-527?) with erased last numeral got killed in cross firing,” said the official.

“No material leading to identity or I-card could be retrieved. Two mobile phones (Nokia 1209) and Jivi-N300 were seized from the said individual.”

A militant of Hizbul Mujahideeen outfit, identified as Yawar Nissar Shergujri @ Algazi was killed in the gunfight, said the official.

“One SLR, 2 magazines, 40 rounds, one Chinese hand grenade and a pouch was recovered from his possession. One solider of 3 RR namely Rifleman Rohit Kumar No. 13771129K also sustained injuries.”

Sources said that Nisar was the first militant from the town in more than a decade. He had joined militant ranks less than two weeks before.

His body was handed over to his family at 3am for burial and restrictions were imposed in the town as a preventive measure, officials added.