Kashmir: Indian solider who joined Hizbul killed in Shopian encounter
An Indian Army soldier who had joined the Hizbul Mujahideen was among two militants killed in an encounter in Kashmir's Shopian district on Tuesday. The encounter resulted in no collateral damage or casualties to security forces. However, security forces have asked the public to not stray into the zone of the encounter as there could be stray explosives around. Here's more.
What we know about the encounter
In the wee hours of Tuesday, security forces in Kashmir began a cordon and search operation in the Shopian district, based on a tip that informed them about the presence of militants. As the search operation was going on, militants hiding in the area opened fire on security personnel, leading to an encounter. After the encounter, weapons and other incriminating material was recovered.
The identities of the deceased militants
According to security forces, the deserter was one Idrees Sultan. Sultan, a resident of Shopian, was in his early 20s, and had deserted the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment to join Hizbul Mujahideen in April this year. At Hizbul, Sultan was given the alias Chota Abrar. The other militant killed in the encounter was identified as Amir Hussain Rather, also a Shopian resident.
