New Delhi: A top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, Yaseen Itoo, who was a close associate of slain Hizbul Mujahideen’s terrorist Burhan Wani, was among three terrorists killed in an encounter in Shopian district of south Kashmir, on Saturday.
Two Army jawans were martyred while three soldiers, including an officer, were also injured in the 20-hour long operation, said media reports.
According to Jammu and Kashmir police, Itoo alias Mehmood Gaznavi was the longest surviving local terrorist in Kashmir. The other two terrorists have been identified as Irfan-ul-Haq Sheikh and Umar Majid Sheikh of Hizbul Mujahideen.
On Saturday evening, security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about presence of terrorists in Awneera village of Zainapora area of the district. As the security forces were conducting searches, the terrorists opened fire on them which was retaliated by the law enforcement personnel, triggering a gunfight.
“There was information about terrorists in Shopian. While cordon was being laid, security personnel came under fire,” Jammu and Kshmir DGP SP Vaid said.
Five soldiers were injured in the gun battle, he said, adding that they were evacuated to the 92 Base Hospital (in Srinagar) of the Army for treatment, where two among them — Sepoy Ilayaraja P and Sepoy Gawai Sumedh Waman — succumbed to their injuries.
Sepoy Ilayaraja hailed from Kandani village in Tamil Nadu and is survived by his parents and wife. 25-year-old Sepoy Sumedh Waman belonged to Maharashtra’s Lonagra village. There were also reports of seven civilians sustaining.
