J&K Police release videos of Army troops appealing militants at Lawaypora to surrender

Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Police on Monday released two brief videos of army personnel asking the militants trapped inside a house at Hokersar Lawaypora to surrender on December 29 night and the next morning.

“On December 29 evening after the cordon at #Hokersar, troops are repeatedly #appealing the trapped #(militants) to come out and #surrender with assurances that they will not be harmed,” police said in the tweet. 

In the 27-second video, a drone can be seen outside hovering around house with an army personnel asking the militants to surrender. “You are given a chance to surrender. Leave weapons and come out. We assure you that you will not be harmed. Hands up and come out,” he is heard telling trapped militants.

In another 26-second video shit on December 26, the army is heard again asking the militants to surrender. “Do you want to surrender? In case you want to surrender, then remove your cloths and come out in the ground.” 

However, instead of responding to the appeals for surrender, the militants hurled grenades and fired upon the troops from inside the house, police added.

Three youth, Ajaz Maqbool Ganai and Athar Mushtaq Wani, both Pulwama, besides Zubair Ahmad Lone of Shopian were killed in and encounter at Lawaypora. Police claimed that the trio were militants, though no case had been registered against them. Their families, however, have been rejecting rejecting the police and security forces claim.

Meanwhile, former Jammu Kashmir Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah called for a fair and transparent probe, saying that it alone can satisfy families of three youth killed at Hokersar Lawaypora Srinagar last week.    

“It is very important that the probe in to this encounter be concluded at the earliest. Only a fair & transparent probe, already promised by @manojsinha_ , will satisfy the families who have lost their loved ones who they insist were innocent,” Omar said in a tweet.

Lieutenant Governor has promised a fair and speedy probe into this encounter after the Natiinal Conference MP and former judge of the high court Hasnain Masoodi called upon him and  spoke to him about it. “In the interim we hope the LG will order the handing over of the bodies to the families,” he added.