Weapon-snatcher militant found dead during search operation in north Kashmir

The police on Wednesday claimed to have found the body of a militant, who recently had snatched a weapon from a policeman during a search operation in north Kashmir's Pattan area, 30 km away from Srinagar. The snatched weapon was also recovered.

The police on Wednesday claimed to have found the body of a militant, who recently had snatched a weapon from a policeman during a search operation in north Kashmir's Pattan area, 30 km away from Srinagar. The snatched weapon was also recovered.

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According to the police, the body of Mudasir Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Palhalan, Pattan, in Baramulla district, was found inside a house during a search operation at village Suraipora.

"On a tip-off, the Baramulla police, the army's 29 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF's 176 Battalion launched a search operation at Suraipora village. While the cordon was being laid, a few gunshots were heard from a house," said the police spokesman.

He said when the police party approached the house, the body was recovered. Sources said Sofi bore four bullet wounds and empty cartridges were also found near the body.

"This militant had snatched a rifle of a policeman in Pattan a few days back," said the spokesman.

Unknown militants on last Saturday afternoon had hit constable Firdous Ahmad Baba in north Kashmir's Pattan area, leaving him critically injured.

"An initial investigation revealed that the rifle belonged to the policeman who was attacked in Pattan with an axe a few days back," said the spokesman.