Srinagar
Police on Tuesday issued following statement regarding Shopian gunfight saying that based on credible inputs about the presence of militants in Shirmal area of Zainapora in District Shopian, a cordon and search operation was launched today jointly by Police and other forces in the area.
A police spokesperson in a statement said that as the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the militants. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight.
“In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and the bodies were recovered from the site of encounter. Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained,” said the police spokesman.
“Police has registered a case and initiated the investigation in the matter. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter,” he said.
“It is to mention that it was a difficult operation due to the terrain and there were clashes in the area which was handled by the SFs. Pertinently only five cases of injuries were reported and three of them were discharged after preliminary medical attention. Separately six forces personnel injured during the clashes have been discharged after medical attention,” the spokesman said.
“Although this was a day-long operation, the effort of forces and cooperation of citizen did not result in any significant injuries or collateral damage,” he said.
“While acknowledging it, we once again request that Citizens not to venture inside the encounter zones, since such an area is a prohibited zone,” said police spokesman.
“Encounter zones can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. Citizens are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any,” Police spokesman in a statement said.
