Srinagar, July 28: An unidentified militant was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Shopian district of South Kashmir today, making it the first encounter in the area after weeks of unrest following rape and murder of two women there. Official sources said police and Rashtriya Rifles launched a joint operation to flush out hiding militants at Matribugh village, 67 kms from here.
The lurking militants opened fire at the search party and in the ensuing encounter a militant was killed. Identity and group affiliation of the militant was not ascertained as the operation was still continuing, sources said.
This is the first encounter between militants and security forces in Shopian, where militants used to strike on regular intervals. Shopian had witnessed a complete shutdown for 47 days over the alleged rape and murder of two women in the town on May 30.
—-PTI–