Jahangeer Ganaie

Suspect in Lethpora attack killed during encounter

Suspect in Lethpora attack killed during encounter
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One army man killed, three others sustain injuries during firefight

Anantnag: Two local militants belonging to militant outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed in an encounter at Marhama Sangam village of Bijbehara tehsil in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday.
An official said that an encounter broke out in the area after forces cordoned off Marhama village on specific inputs about the presence of militants in the village.
As forces intensified searches towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon forces which was retaliated triggering an encounter, he added.
During exchange of fire two militants were killed, he said while identifying them as Tawseef Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Ashraf Bhat and Sajad Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Maqbool Bhat both residents of Marhama village.
One army was killed while as three others were injured during exchange of fire, he added.
Sajad according to officials was the one who had provided the car used in Lethpora attack in which at least 49 CRPF men were killed.
Sajad according to locals went missing soon after Lethpora attack and later announced his joining the militant ranks.
Sources said that Sajjad had completed his 11th class examination recently and was a student of 12th class at higher secondary school Marhama before joining Jaish.
He had also memorized the holy Quran (Hafiz e Quran) three years back.
“He was never arrested before nor did he show any inclination towards militancy ever,” said one of his friends.
Belonging to a middle class family, Sajad’s father is a govt employee in Public health Engineering department and is survived by a younger brother besides his parents.
Tawseef according to officials was the District commander of JeM and had joined militant ranks last year.
Belonging to a middle class family, he was never arrested before, locals said
He is survived by a brother and sister besides his parents.
Meanwhile, thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of slain militants which were held jointly in their native village Marhama.
Notably, as a precautionary measure internet services were snapped in Anantnag district.


Jahangeer Ganaie

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

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