Srinagar, Dec 25: Police on Saturday said that five militants including ‘IED expert’ affiliated with Ansar Gazwat-ul-Hind (AuGH) were killed three encounters in Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag districts of south Kashmir.
“Based on specific information generated by Police regarding presence of (militants) in Hardumir Tral area of Awantipora (in Pulwama district), a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and Army in the area,” a police spokesperson said.
During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given ample opportunities to surrender. However, they denied the surrender opportunities and instead fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants were killed.
They have been identified as Nadeem Nazir Bhat son of Nazir Ahmad Bhat of Koil Shikargah Tral and Rahi Rasool Bhat alias Adil son of Ghulam Rasool of Kanipora Dadsara.
“As per police records both the killed (militants) were categorized (militants) linked with AuGH and were part of groups involved in several cases including IED blast and grenade attacks on Police/SF establishments,” he said, adding, “Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two AK series rifles were recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.”
Official said that a militant of ISJK was killed in a gunfight with police and army in Khush Roi Kalan area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday.
A senior police officer said that the militant identified as Faheem Bhat of ISJK was killed in the encounter.
Earlier two Lashker-e-Toba militants were killed in the encounter in Shopian district.
“Acting on specific input generated by Police regarding presence of (militants) in Chowgam area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 14Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesperson said.
During the search operation, he said, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given ample opportunities to surrender.
“However, they denied the surrender opportunities and instead fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” he said in the statement, adding, “In the ensuing encounter, two (militants) were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter,” he said.
They have been identified as Sajad Ahmad Chak son of Bashir Ahmad Chak of Braripora, Shopian and Raja Basit Yaqoob son of Mohammad Yaqoob Najar of Achan Litter, Pulwama.
As per police records both the killed militants were “categorized” militants linked with LeT and were part of groups involved in several cases, he said. Besides, he said, Sajad was also instrumental in motivating and recruiting the youth to join militant folds.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two AK series rifles, 4 AK Magazines and 32 rounds were recovered from their possession,” he said, adding, “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.”
Police have registered case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated, he said. “People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” he said, adding, “IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint teams of Police and security forces for eliminating 06 (militants) within 48 hours in three successful operations without any collateral damage.”
Police have registered case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated, he said. “People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.”
