Srinagar, Oct 1: Three weeks after joining Lashker-e-Toiba militant group, a 23-year-old youth was killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Friday.
A police spokesperson said that based on specific inputs regarding presence of militants, a joint cordon-and-search-operation was launched by Police, army’s 34RR and 178 battalion of CRPF in Rakhama area of Shopian at about 0500 hours.
During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militant got ascertained he was given opportunity to surrender. “Instead he fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” he said, adding, “In the ensuing encounter, the militant identified as Mujeeb Lone son of Mohammad Amin Lone of Redwani Bala Kulgam was killed.”
As per police records, said Mujeeb had joined the militants folds recently and was linked with LeT.
The spokesperson said one pistol and a magazine was recovered from the site of encounter.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson said that acting on a specific input generated by Police, a cordon and search operation was launched jointly by Police, 55RR and 182Bn CRPF in the orchards of village Nikloora Pulwama.
“During search, one active militant of LeT was apprehended.”
He has been identified as Shamim Sofi son of Ghulam Mohammad Sofi resident of Nikloora. As per police records he had joined the militant folds in July 2021, the spokesperson said in the statement.
“Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including one pistol was recovered from his possession,” he said, adding, “In both the incidents, Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law in respective police stations and further investigation is in progress.”
Separately, the police said three person were arrested along arms and ammunition in Qazigund area of Kulgam district.
“On a specific input regarding the movement of (militants), Kulgam Police along with 1stRR, 46Bn CRPF established a checkpoint at Malpora Mir Bazar Crossing area of Qazigund Kulgam,” the spokesperson said, adding, “During checking a Motorcycle bearing registration No JK13D-7659 and an Alto Car bearing registration No JK13E-2492 with three persons on board were signalled to stop but they tried to flee from the spot. The search party chased and apprehended them tactfully.”
They have been identified as Aubaid Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Aadil Jamal Bhat son of Mohammad Jamal Bhat and Danish Rasool Bhat son of Ghulam Rasool Bhat, all the residents of Dadsara Tral area of Awantipora.
“During search, huge quantity of arms and ammunitions including one AK-Rifle, one AK-Magzine, four Grenade, four Detonators, one IED, one IED wire and 30 Pistol Rounds were recovered from their possession,” he said, adding, “Vehicles used in commission of crime have also been seized.” In this connection, he said, a case (FIR No. 243/2021) under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Qazigund. “Further investigation of the case is in progress.”
