Srinagar: Police on Saturday identified the militant killed in a gunfight with government forces at Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla as district commander of HizbulMujahideen. “One (militant) killed in the encounter has been identified as Shahid Ahmad Sheikh alias Shabir, district commander of HM, a resident of Kachloo Qaziabad, Handwara,” a police spokesman said.
Sheikh was earlier affiliated with JeM. “One AK rifle, one AK magazine, one grenade, 23 AK rounds and a pouch was recovered from the encounter site,” he said.
Sheikh, police said, was involved in many killing of one Shahnaz Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Super-Naghama in which a case FIR number 10/2017 under section 302 RPC, 7/27 Act stands registered in Police Station Kralgund. “He was also involved in convoy attacks on Forces on Baramulla-Handwara Highway,” the spokesman said.
He said that the encounter had ensued after joint team of police, 22 RR, 179 and 92 Bn CRPF launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Dangerpora Reben area of Sopore following specific information regarding the presence of militants.
“During the search operation, (militants) hiding in the area fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter in which the militant was killed,” he said.