SRINAGAR, 11 September: A militant was killed along with another associate in a gunfight with security forces in Galoora area of Handwara in North Kashmir on the wedding day of his sister today.
A spokesman said that the Jammu Kashmir police and security forces launched a joint search operation based on “credible” inputs about the presence of militants in Galoora area of Langate.
“During the searches, the militants fired on the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed,” he said.
Police said that the killed militants affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit and identified as Liyaqat, a resident of Harwan Sopore and Furqan (18), a resident of Langate area of Handwara.
The family member of slain militant said that his sister was scheduled to get married today. “Our celebration turned into mourning. We are going to receive his body for last rites now,” They lament.
Sources told media said that the slain militant, Liyaqat Ahmad had joined militant ranks on 8 July this year, marking the second anniversary of Hizb commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani. They said that since then he has never contacted his family adding that his family did not know he has joined militant ranks.
Pertinently Liyaqat was the father of three children and left home this year.
