Anantnag: Police has confirmed identity of the two militants killed in an encounter with government forces at Muniward area of Khanabal as Altaf Ahmad Dar alias Kachroo alias Moin and Umar Rashid Wani, both residents of Kulgam district.
Kachroo, one of the longest surviving militant, active since 2006, was category A ++ militants and figured in the list of top 12 militants released by the Indian Army after Sabzar Bhat’s killing last year.
Security establishment classifies militants as ‘A’ or ‘A++’, ranking them in an order of standing with ‘A++’ denoting the highest.
A police spokesperson said that Altaf Ahmed Dar son of Late Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Hawoora, Mishipora Kulgam was currently operating as one of the most important militant Commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. “He had a long history of (militancy) records since 2007,” the spokesperson said.
Considered as a long time surviving militant in the area, the police claimed he was involved in series of attacks on the government forces and killings of policemen in the area. “Several cases were registered against him in different police stations across valley for his activities. Some of the prominent cases include rifle snatching from policemen at Yaripora BSNL Tower. FIR No 208/7 under section 307, RPC, 7/27, Arms Act; FIR No 226/2010 under section 20 ULA (P) Act; FIR No 239/2010 under section 307,RPC 7/27 Arms Act; FIR No 15/2010 under section 307, 392 RPC 7/25 Arms Act in PS Yaripora; FIR No 21/2011 under section 7/25 Arms Act P/S Zadibal Srinagar; FIR No 174/15 under section 307, 392 RPC , 7/25 Arms Act PS Kulgam etc.”
Pertinently during the 2016 unrest, police said, he along with Yasin Itoo alias Gaznavi played a major role in “instigating” people.
Regarding another militant, Umar Rashid Wani son of Abdul Rashid Wani of Khudwani Kulgam, police said, he became active since last year. “He was involved in many attacks on security establishments. He was also involved in killing of policemen at Anantnag.”
Further in Srinagar city, Umar had carried an attack on CRPF and also escaped from the recent Batmaloo encounter site, the police said.
“Several cases were registered against him including 145/17 under section 302, 7/27 Arms Act of Police Station Anantnag in which two JKP cops were (killed) and 173/18 under section 302, 307, 34 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 ULA of Police Station Batamaloo. Though this group was a part of HM module they had worked in close coordination with other militant outfit,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Some arms and ammunition was also recovered from the site of encounter.”
