Four ISIS affiliated terrorists were killed in an encounter in Anantnag early this morning. The operation that began at 5:30 A.M., is still on and a policeman and civilian have lost their lives. The official report of the encounter was provided by the Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief of Police S. P. Vaid.
Early this year, Mr. Vaid confirmed the ISIS terror group had a presence in the Valley after a policeman was killed. Mr. Vaid stated their presence was no substantial but it was. “Indeed a worrying sign because ISIS foothold in Kashmir will have a different meaning.” However, the State police head’s worst fears are coming true with the ongoing encounter.
Preliminary information indicated that the terrorists were hiding inside a house in South Kashmir. The owner of the house was killed in the crossfire while his wife was injured. The officials suspended internet services in Srinagar and Anantnag due to the encounter.
The security officers received intelligence inputs about the terrorists’ location. The search operation turned into a gunfight when the terrorists began firing at the officers who retaliated.
The Kashmir police tweeted, “Exchange of fire between SFs and terrorists in Anantnag. Area under cordon and SFs on job. Information is preliminary in nature. (sic)”
At present Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor’s rule after Chief Minister Mehboob Mufti resigned. She handed her resignation to the Governor after the BJP backed out the alliance with her PDP party.
The relations between the two parties have been strained over the years. Mufti’s party was the first to threaten to leave the party after two BJP ministers stood by the Hindu Ekta Manch. The Hindu Ekta Manch was the group demanding a CBI inquiry into the rape and murder of an 8 year old girl in Kathua.
The issue settled after the BJP made the two ministers resign from their posts. However, Mufti wanted the ceasefire to be extended even after Ramzan. But the Center decided otherwise after terrorist attacks increased on the border. BJP spokesperson explained, “We granted ceasefire under a position of strength, remember that. They (militants) are not willing to even honor that.” The Center was adamant to halt the ceasefire after the Editor of Rising Kashmir was murdered.
The Rising Kashmir newspaper Editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead on Thursday night. Bukhari was leaving his office in Srinagar when he was shot dead by unknown assailants. Apart from Bukhari two officers were also killed in the attack.