Shopian (Jammu and Kashmir): In a first-of-a-kind incident, a surrendered militant appealed to holed-up militants during an encounter with the security forces to give up arms and surrender before them.
According to the Kashmir Zone Police, the surrendered militant had joined the militant ranks recently.
Appealing to the holed-up militants, he can be heard saying that the security forces gave him a chance to surrender and he is happy that he surrendered.
He can also be heard saying that the forces did not trouble him after the surrender and treated him well and they will also face no troubles if they surrender.
Three terrorists killed while one newly recruited terrorist surrendered during an encounter that broke out between terrorists and security forces at the Kanigam area of Shopian district of South Kashmir on Thursday morning.
According to the statement released by the Indian Army, the joint cordon and search operation was launched by State Police, 44RR and 178Bn CRPF in the area.
Two militants killed in encounter in north Kashmir's Sopore area
According to the statement, they were given an opportunity to surrender. Family members of the trapped terrorists were also called to the encounter site to motivate and persuade them to surrender, added the statement.
"Due to the great efforts and utmost patience of police, security forces, and repeated surrender appeals with the help of their family members, one of the trapped terrorists ultimately surrendered and laid down his arms before the joint security forces. The surrendered terrorist later also appealed to his trapped companions to surrender, however, they turned down the surrender offer and fired indiscriminately on a joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter," said an army official.
"In the ensuing encounter, three terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Danish Mir, Mohd Umer Bhat both residents of Khajapora Shopian and Zaid Bashir Reshi resident of Raben Shopian. As per police records, they were affiliated with the proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr," added the official.
Lauding the efforts of security forces, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that they have shown utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism, which resulted in saving the life of a misguided youth.
IGP Kashmir once again makes a fervent appeal to all misguided youth who have joined terror ranks to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream as society needs them and most importantly their parents. We will welcome and accept them with open arms, added Kumar.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have been recovered from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.'
ULFA (I) cadre killed in encounter with police
The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.
Police have also registered a case under relevant sections of law and an investigation has been initiated. "People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any," appealed IGP Kashmir.
Earlier on Monday, police neutralized two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in an encounter at the Nathipora area of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district.
