Top Militant Likely Among 5 Killed In Shopian Encounter

Srinagar: Five militants were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district. Saddam Padder, top Hizbul Mujahideen commander is likely among the killed militants. An assistant professor of the Kashmir University who went missing on Friday, is also likely among the killed.

The identity of the militants and their group is being ascertained, officials said.

Confirming the incident, Jammu and Kashmir DGP tweeted, “Encounter concluded at Badigam Zainpora Shopian, 5 bodies of terrorists recovered. Well done boys – Army/ CRPF/J&K Police.”

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area, soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), cordoned off Badigam village in Zainapora area.

“We had appealed to them to surrender but continuous firing went on,” Shailendra Mishra, senior police officer informed officials.

The University Professor, Mohammad Rafi Bhat, was working as an assistant professor in the Sociology department of the university, and was to join militant group.

Though the police had brought his family from Ganderbal to persuade him to surrender, which didn’t materialize.

There were widespread protests in the University, as the students demanded to trace the missing professor.

As per information, two security personnel were also injured in the encounter. Internet services were temporarily suspended in South Kashmir.