ISJK affiliate killed in Shopian, schools closed in his native Sopore town

The militant killed in the wee  hours of Friday morning in an  encounter with security forces in Amshipora-Ramnagri village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district has been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Abdulla bhai, a resident of Model town Sopore. Police sources said that Sofi was associated with Islamic State, Jammu Kashmir outfit.He was earlier associated with Harkatul Mujahideen and later he joined ISJK, police sources said.

Sofi was arrested in 2016 as a part of OGW network and was later released. He however, joined militant ranks. He was again detained along with arms in the same year, police sources said. As soon as he was released six months later, he again went missing.

‘As an OGW he was Harkat-ul-Mujahideen’s worker, but he switched over to ISJK’, police said.

Meanwhile ,authorities in Sopore have ordered closure of all schools in Sopore as a precautionary measure,in view of the prevailing situation.

“All schools, higher secondary schools and degree colleges, both Private or government run in sub division Sopore shall remain closed today on May 10,” reads an order issued in this regard by Additional District Magistrate, Sopore.

The authorities have also snapped internet in Sopore.