SRINAGAR: A militant killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Charsoo area of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district was affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad, police said.
A police spokesman in a statement said that based on a specific input generated by Police regarding the presence of militants in village Charsoo area of Awnatipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 42RR and 130Bn CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding militant fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” said the spokesman.
“In the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Owais Raja son of Mohd Ramzan Dar resident of Subhanpora,” he said, adding that, “as per police records, the slain was a categorized militant of proscribed outfit JeM. He was a part of a group involved in several criminal cases including attacks on Police/SF and civilian atrocities. IGP Kashmir termed this operation very important as it is situated very close to NHW and threat was imminent.”
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK-56 rifle, 03 AK Magazines and 80 AK rounds were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” he further added.
“In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” said the spokesman.
