Kashmir University professor among 5 killed in Shopian encounter

Srinagar, May 6: Five persons were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir today, police said.

The victims include Dr Mohammad Rafi Bhat, an assistant professor of Kashmir University who went missing on Friday. His family reached out to KU authorities after they heard rumours of Rafi joining militant ranks after which the police filed a missing report. The police had earlier called Rafi's family to persuade the assistant professor to surrender. He was a resident of Chundana, Ganderbal.

Top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Saddam Padder is also believed to be among the slain militants but police officials said it can only be confirmed after ascertaining the identity of the slain ultras.

“Encounter concluded at Badigam Zainpora Shopian, 5 bodies of terrorists recovered. Well done boys - Army/ CRPF/J&K Police," DGP S P Vaid tweeted.

A police official said the identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants are being ascertained.

The encounter broke out after security forces launched cordon and search operation in Badigam village in Zainapora area of the south Kashmir district following specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

A Kashmir University assistant professor, who went missing on Friday, is believed to be among the slain militants.

Mohammad Rafi Bhat, a contractual assistant professor in the Sociology department of the university, went missing on Friday.

Bhat, a resident of Chundina area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, was to join militant ranks and reportedly is among the militants who were trapped in Badigam.

“Reportedly, Bhat is among the militants trapped there,” Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, S P Pani said.

He said the police brought his family from Ganderbal to persuade him to surrender.

“After receiving the input about his presence there, we brought his family from Ganderbal to persuade him to surrender, but so far, repeated attempts have not materialized,” Pani had said earlier in the day.

Bhat's family informed the university authorities about his disappearance yesterday.

Protests had rocked the university yesterday over his disappearance, following which the university's vice chancellor met the protesting students and assured them that all efforts would be made to trace the missing professor.

The vice-chancellor had also written to the Director General of Police, requesting him that all efforts be made to trace Bhat's whereabouts.

"The search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon the forces, which was retaliated," the official said.

"The gunfight is still on," he said, adding that further details were awaited.