Two militants including doctorate student Sabzar Sofi were killed and six security forces were injured after a fierce gun battle in Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar. Subzar Sofi was an IAS Aspirant but joined the militant ranks after the death of Burhan Wani in 2016.
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Reports said that groups of youth took to streets and staged protests soon after the news of the killing of Sabzar Sofi reached his native Sangam area of the district. The youth pelted stones on the security forces deployed in the area to prevent protests.
The gunfire started in Soothu Kothair Bagh on National Highway bypass road in Srinagar district. Security forces had engaged two militants in the area and after a fierce gunfight, which lasted for few hours, the security forces have been successful in neutralizing the militants.
The identity of two militants has been confirmed by the security agencies as Subzar Sofi of Naina village in Sangam area of south Kashmir and the other one named Asif Gojri of Anantnag district.
According to police records, Sabzar Ahmad Sofi joined the LeT on August 21, 2016, has an M Phil degree. Sabzar reportedly joined the terror outfit after the killing of Burhan Wani and as per reports from the police department many highly educated youth from south Kashmir have joined militancy after the death of Burhan Wani. Sabzar was reportedly also qualified NET, JRF and had started coaching for IAS.
Sabzaar Sofi son of Bashir Ahmad Sofi had completed his M.Sc in Botany from Burkhatulla University Bhopal in 2013-14 and MPhil from Jiwaji University Gwalior before joining Jamia Milia Islamia New Delhi in 2016.
Sabzar had left his home for Delhi in 2016 to complete his PhD studies and for the next three months family could not establish any contact with him. He is reported to have joined militancy in the later part of 2016.
