Srinagar: The three militants killed in Kulgam district o south Kashmir belong to Lashker-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit and two of them are locals, police said.
“They are prime accused involved in the yesterday’s abduction and killing of Constable Mohd Saleem of JKP at Kulgam,” a police spokesman said.
He said a joint patrol of forces in the wee hours of Sunday launched searches at Redwani area in District Kulgam after it received credible inputs about the presence of the militants in a cluster of houses.
“As the forces advanced, hiding (militants) fired resulting in a brief encounter in which three (militants) were killed. No collateral damage occurred during the encounter,” he said.
On the basis of the incriminating materials seized, the spokesman said the killed militants were identified as Muawiya, a foreigner of Pakistani origin, Suhail Ahmad Dar of Redwani Balaa and Mudassar alias Rehaan of Katarsoo. “All were involved in the killing of Constable Mohd Saleem. As per police records they were affiliated with the LeT and HM outfits.”
Mauwiya’s involvement was established in a number of civilian killings. “Suhail who was working as a laborer earlier after he had dropped out from school had later joined the outfit. Police probe is on for ascertaining complicity of the other co-conspirators who assisted in the commission of the gruesome crime leading to the death of police person Saleem.”
Police spokesman said some arms and ammunition including but not limited to 2 AK 47 rifles and a carbine were recovered from the site of encounter. “Police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated into the matter.”
