Jahangeer Ganaie

Top Hizb commander, civilian among five killed in south Kashmir

Top Hizb commander, civilian among five killed in south Kashmir
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Shopian: Four militants and a civilian were Friday killed in two separate encounters with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Pulwama districts, police said.
A police spokesperson said that following a tip off about the presence of militants in Dragad Sugan village, a cordon and search operation was launched by a joint column of troops of 34RR, SOG of police and CRPF.
“As the search was initiated in the area, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated by forces triggering an encounter,” said the police spokesperson, adding that three bodies were later retrieved from the encounter site.
The police spokesperson identified the slain as Abid Manzoor Magray alias Sajju Tiger of Nowpora Payeen, Pulwama and Bilal Ahmad Bhat of Armulla aka Abu Toib of Lassipora Pulwama.
However, he said third body was identified as that of Jaism Ahmad Shah son of Abdul Rashid Shah resident of Maulnad, Shopian.
However, according to locals of Malnad Sugan village slain Jasim was a local civilian and was missing since last evening from his home.
“After medico-legal formalities, the bodies of the slain trio were handed over to their families for last rites,” the police spokesman said.
A police official said that according to police records Abid Manzoor Magray son of Manzoor Ahmad Magray had joined militants on 22nd of August 2016. He was associated with the Hizbul Mujahedeen militant outfit. He was “A” category militant and was a close aide of HM commander Riyaz Naikoo.
Another slain militant Bilal Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat had joined militant ranks on 26, October 2017. He was associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit and was a ‘B’ category militant, the official said.
“Both were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of crimes, including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several cases were registered against them,” he said.
The spokesperson said incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the site of the encounter.
According to local residents of Dragad village gunshots were heard at around 4 am and thereafter there was a lull for about 6 hours. However, the firing resumed later in the day but it lasted for few minutes.
According to a local of Armulla village slain Bilal is survived by a brother, sister and father and he was never arrested before joining the militant ranks.
Slain Abid aka Saju Tiger is survived by two brothers, parents and grandparents. Saju was arrested once before he decided joining the militant ranks.
Belonging to a middle class, Abid had left his studies in 12th and was later working as a driver.
Abid was considered to be the right hand of Reyaz Naikoo and was one of the top commanders in Zainapora Litter belt.
Civilian Jasim, a B.A dropout belonged to an economically sound family and is survived by two brothers and one sister besides his parents.
Meanwhile, in wake of the gunfight internet service were suspended in Shoipan district.
Elsewhere, two militants were killed in a gunfight with government forces in Nannar village of Midoora Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama District on Friday afternoon.
Reports said that a joint team of Army’s 42RR, SOG and 180 BN of CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Nannar.
A senior police officer said the joint team of forces launched the cordon following specific inputs about the presence of some militants. “The joint team while zeroing in a suspected spot fired some warning shots, the hiding militants tried to break the cordon. However, the forces engage them triggering off a fierce gun battle”.
During the course of gunfight, two militants have been killed and their bodies have been recovered along with some arms and ammunition, the officer said.
He said that the identities of the slain duo and group affiliation are being ascertained.
Meanwhile, reports said that the house where the militants were hiding was damaged completely after it was blasted and razed into rubble by the forces.
The authorities have also suspended internet services in Police District Awantipora following the gunfight.
Meanwhile, a gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Friday afternoon.
However, the militants managed to escape from the cordon, they said.
On a specific input about movement of militants in Appan area of Marwah belt, a team of Special Operation Group (SOG) and district police reached the location on Thursday night, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, M K Sinha told PTI.
While the police team was on its job to close in, some unidentified militants fired at them near Faizi Bridge on Friday, he said, adding that the police retaliated.
In the gunbattle, two SPOs — Mohammad Iqbal and Ashiq Hussain — sustained bullet injuries, Sinha said.
“Both are being evacuated. The Army and police are searching the area to nab the militants”, the IGP said.
Sinha said operation is underway and reinforcements of the SOG and the Army have been sent to neutralise the militants.
The officials said two to three militants are believed to be holed up the area. The Army has also reached the spot to help police in cordon and search operation to track down the militants.
As per sources, the militants have escaped from the spot.
The IGP visited the Army Command Hospital at Udhampur and enquired about the health of the two injured SPOs who are undergoing treatment there.


Jahangeer Ganaie

Jahangeer Ganaie is a reporter and covers regional news and can be contacted [email protected]

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