J&K: Militants manage to escape during Shopian encounter, shots fired at SOG camp

Giving initial information, a police official said that a joint team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched a search operation in the area.

Srinagar (J&K): An encounter broke out between security forces and militants at Baskuchan village of south Kashmir's Shopian district on Monday, officials said here. Kashmir Zone Police said in a tweet: "Encounter has started at Baskuchan area of Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow."

The encounter started at around 5:30 pm. The exchange of fire between the militants and the forces personnel continued for some time, but after that, the area was silent and it is feared that the militants may have managed to escape. The siege by the security forces is, however, going on. Locals said that there was heavy exchange of fire in the first phase of the encounter which continued for some time. The siege by the forces personnel is still going on and efforts are going on to find the militants.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the same district, militants on Monday evening fired upon a Special Operation Group (SOG) camp situated in the Imam Sahib area. A top police officer said that militants fired some rounds at SOG Camp Imam Sahib. However, in this incident, there was no loss of life or injury. Taking advantage of darkness militants managed to escape from the spot, the officer added. Soon after the attack, the whole area was cordoned off to nab the attackers.

Jaish Commander's brother found dead

Body of Jaish commander’s brother with bullet marks was found in Narpora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday morning, officials said here. A police official told that the body was spotted by some passersby, following which they informed the Shopian police.

He said that soon after getting the information, a team of police reached the spot and recovered the body. The body had bullet marks and he had been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Nangroo of Rajpora village of Pulwama district and is the brother of Ashiq Nangroo who is the commander of Jaishe-Mohammad in Pakistan.

A case under relevant sections of law is being registered and we are investigating the matter, a police officer said, adding that local rivalry could have resulted in the killing. "It is learnt that the deceased has been kidnapped on Sunday night," he said.