Forces killed 13 terrorists in three South Kashmir gunfights in which three soldiers and a civilian also died, in some of the biggest and most violent security operations launched on Saturday night. The operations dealt a massive blow to terror groups such as Hizb and LeT.
Seven terrorists, including two self-styled commanders wanted for killing Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz (22), were gunned down at Draggad village in Shopian district. The owner of the house were terrorists were hiding was also killed.
"We have avenged Fayaz's death", said Army officer AK Bhatt. The officer's body had been found with bullet wounds in the Hermain area of Shopian on April 10 last year.
Five terrorists and three soldiers were killed at Kachidoora village in Shopian district.
In Peth-Dialgam village of Anantnag district, a local terrorist was killed, while another surrendered. "In all, 13 terrorists neutralised, three soldiers martyred and one terrorist caught alive," said J&K DGP SP Vaid.
Vaid said the SSP tried to persuade the terrorist to surrender at Peth-Dialgam. "He spoke to family members for about 30 minutes. But unfortunately he did not and fired, said Vaid.
The DGP also renewed his appeal to parents to persuade their wards to shun the path of violence. "It is painful for all of us to see the loss of young lives,"
"I would appeal to young people of Kashmir not to be carried away by Pakistan or their proxies," Bhatt said.
The terrorists, all locals, killed at Draggad were indented as Zubair Ahmad Turray, Ishfaq Ahmad Malik, Yawar Itoo, Nazim Ahmad Dar, Adil Ahmad Thokar, Ubaid Ahmad Malla and Reyaz Ahmad Thokar. Malik and Thokar were involved in Fayaz's killing.
The three martyred soldiers were identified as Sepoy Hetram, Gunner Nilesh Singh and Gunner Arvinder Kumar. Hetram was from Sonigassar Godars village of Bikaner district of Rajasthan. He had joined the Army in 2013. Singh was from Vilalge Nagrr of Sultanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. He had joined the Army in 2003.
Kumar was from Village Sariana of Hoshairpur district of Punjab. He had joined the Army in 2012.
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