Local and police sources confirmed that Shahid Ahmad Mir, son of Mansoor Ahmad of Gagran was among the slain.

Shopian, November 4:

One of two bodies recovered from the site of a gunfight in Shopian district on Sunday has been identified as that of a civilian, Shahid Ahmad Mir of Gagran village.

Local and police sources confirmed that Shahid Ahmad Mir, son of Mansoor Ahmad of Gagran was among the slain.

A local resident told Greater Kashmir that the body of Shahid has been handed over to his family at DPL Shopian.

His body was recovered from the gunfight site today morning during searches which continued throughtout the night following a brief gunfight last evening.

Another body recovered last night was identified as that of militant, Irfan Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Bandzoo Pulwama.

The gunfight broke out last evening after a joint team of army and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation in Khudpora village.

Police Version:

Police and security forces in Khudpora area of District  Shopian, launched a cordon and search operation yesterday evening based on credible inputs about the presence of militants in the area.

As the search operation was going on, hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter.

Meanwhile following  the SOP, civilians from the nearby area were evacuated to safer places.

In the ensuing encounter, hiding militants fired on security forces. Consequently post encounter during the search two dead bodies were recovered from the site of encounter. The killed militant has been identified as Mohd Irfan Bhat of Pulwama who was associated with HM outfit since June 2017.

The  other one  was identified as Shahid Mir  who as per the police records  was  part of case FIR 201/2004 under section 7/25 Arms Act of police station Shopian for militancy related incident.

A couple of militants managed to escape from the site as blood trails have been seen at the site.

Moreover, the house where  the encounter took place is intact albiet a hideout was found inside the house where militants were hiding.

Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.

Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the instant matter for ascertaining the facts pertaining to militants hiding in the said house and other related matters to this incident.

Courtesy: Greater Kashmir