Four militants killed in two encounters
One among the slain militants was an IED expert: IGP
Srinagar: Four militants were killed in two encounters with security forces in Shopian and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir on Saturday, police said. Meanwhile, another encounter is underway in south Kashmir’s Bijbehara area.
While two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were gunned down in Shopian, two unidentified ultras were killed in Pulwama.
Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the Chowgam village area of Shopian in south Kashmir after information was received about the presence of militants there, a police official said.
“During the search operation, the presence of militants was ascertained. They were given ample opportunities to surrender. Instead, they fired indiscriminately on the joint search party who retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said.
Two militants were killed in the gun battle and their bodies were retrieved from the site, the official said. The militants have been identified as Sajad Ahmad Chak, resident of Braripora, Shopian and Raja Basit Yaqoob of Achan Litter in Pulwama.
“According to police records, both the militants were linked with proscribed outfit LeT and were part of groups involved in several terror cases. Chak was also instrumental in motivating and recruiting the youth in the terrorist group,” he said.
The official said incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two AK series rifles, four AK magazines and 32 rounds were seized.
He said that another encounter between militants and security forces broke out in Hardumir, Tral area of Pulwama district.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday identified the two militants who were killed in the military operation in Tral area of south Kashmir.
The spokesman said that based on specific information generated by the police regarding the presence of militants in village Hardumir, Tral area of Awantipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Awantipora Police and Army in the said area.
In the operation, police said two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of operation.
They have been identified as Nadeem Nazir Bhat, son of Nazir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Koil Shikargah Tral, and Rahi Rasool Bhat (Adil), son of Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Kanipora Dadsara.
Police said both the slain militants were affiliated with AuGH outfit and were part of groups involved in several militant crime cases including IED blast and grenade attacks on armed forces establishments.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that Rahi Rasool was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) expert.
They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit AuGH. (Two) 02 AK rifles recovered. Both were involved in several terror incidents including IED blast & grenade throwing, Kumar said on Twitter.
Incriminating materials, arms, and ammunition including 02 AK series rifles were recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, the statement added.
Meanwhile, an encounter is underway between militants and security forces in Khush Roi Kalan area of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
An official said that a joint of team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in the area.
He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.
He said that the exchange of fire is on in the area and two to three militants are believed to be trapped in the area. IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that no militant has surrendered as rumours are making rounds. “Exchange of fire is going on,” he said.
Pertinently, this is the third encounter in South Kashmir today. Earlier, four militants were killed in twin gunfights in south Kashmir. Two militants were killed in Chowgam Shopian while two others were killed in Hardumir Tral. (with PTI inputs)
KV News
