Srinagar, Feb 19 (ANH): A hardcore militant was killed in fierce firefight in early hours of Saturday, 19 February 2022 in Tsermarg Village of Shopian District, where a joint operation had been launched by the Security Forces. In the ensuing encounter, two bravehearts gave the supreme sacrifice, while saving civilian lives, ensuring zero collateral damage to civilian lives and property, Indian Army said in a statement.
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The fourteen hour long operation, which commenced last evening and continued throughout the night, was pursued on specific human intelligence of presence of terrorist in the general area of Awaneera and Tsermarg.
Continuous tracking and follow up on leads extracted from sources, pin pointed the hiding place of the terrorist in Village Tsermarg. As the Security Forces closed in towards the suspected house, heavy automatic fire was drawn from the house endangering the civilians present around the house. Taking swift evasive action, the forces evacuated the civilians including ladies and children to a safe location and eliminated the hiding militant.
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Two gallant soldiers, Sep Santosh Yadav and Sep Romit Chavan hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively, in an act of exemplary bravery, sustained injuries in the initial gunfight and later succumbed to their injuries. These heroes laid down their lives for the Nation in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, while saving the civilian brethren, the statement said.
As per police, the killed militant has been identified as Mohammed Qayoom Dar, resident of Laroo, Kakapora in Pulwama District, belonged to LeT.