SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday identified the slain militants killed in three separate encounters in Ganderbal, Pulwama and Handwara.
A police spokesman in a statement said that during the past 12 hours, Police along with counter-insurgent forces killed four militants including a Pakistani JeM commander in three operations in the valley.
“Besides, an active militant was also arrested during another operation in Pulwama,” said the spokesman.
“In Pulwama, acting on specific information generated by Pulwama Police regarding the presence of militants in village Chewaklan, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 50RR and 182 Bn CRPF in the said area,” he said, adding that as the search party moved towards local Darul Uloom, militants hiding inside fired indiscriminately upon the search party in which one civilian identified as Zahoor Ahmad Shergojri son of Mohammad Abdullah of Chewklan received gunshot injury who was later shifted to hospital where his condition is said to be stable.
“The joint party retaliated the fire leading to an encounter. Keeping the sanctity of the institution into mind, operation was carried out with all due precautions and deliberations,” said police spokesman in a statement.
“In the ensuing encounter, 02 militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. One of the killed militants has been identified as a Pakistani commander Kamaal Bhai @Jatt while the other militant has been identified as commander Aqib Mushtaq @Usman Hyder son of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat resident of Karimabad Pulwama, both affiliated with proscribed outfit JeM,” he said.
“Meanwhile, Pulwama police alongwith 50RR, 183Bn CRPF arrested an active militant during another anti-militant operation carried in village Wahibugh area. He has been identified as Rouf Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Yousuf Mir resident of Parigam Pulwama. Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including a pistol, 02 magazines, 26 rounds, 03 grenades and 01 pouch were recovered from his possession,” he added.
“Two more operations were launched in village Nechama Rajwar area of Handwara by Police, 21RR & 09 Para and in village Serch area of Ganderbal by Police, 24RR & 115 CRPF followed by specific information’s generated by respective police units. As the joint search parties approached towards suspected spots, the hiding militants started firing indiscriminately on the search parties which was retaliated leading to encounters at both the places,” said the spokesman.
“In the ensuing encounters at Handwara & Ganderbal, one militant each, affiliated with proscribed outfit LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounters. The slainb militant at Handwara encounter site has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Ganie son of Gulzar Ahmad resident of Terigam Kulgam while as the killed militant at Ganderbal has been identified as Adil Ahmad Khan son of Abdul Ahad resident of Badarkund Ganderbal,” he said.
“As per police records, the slain militants were categorized militants and part of group involved in several crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities. The slain Pakistani militant Kamaal Bhai was active since 2018 in Shopian-Pulwama areas. Adil Khan killed in Ganderbal was involved in attack on Vice president of BJP of district Ganderbal on 6 Oct 2020, civilian killings in Srinagar, besides facilitated grenade attack at Towheed Chowk & Chappargund, Ganderbal. He was also involved in motivating youth to join militant folds,” he added.
“From the three encounter sites, incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 02 AK-56 rifles, 01 AK short barrel rifle, 01 Pistol, 09 AK-magazines, 01 Grenade, 08 Pistol rounds and 32 AK rounds have been recovered,” he further added.
“IGP Kashmir termed the killing of wanted Pakistani militant as a big success and congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-militant operations without any collateral damage. Besides, stressed on the officers to speed up the anti-terrorist operations so as to make the valley militant free,”.
Talking to reporters on the side-lines of talent hunt programme organized by J&K Police at Tagore Hall Srinagar, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar-IPS said that Sarpanchs and Panchs who are facing threats from militants have been provided safe accommodations in Srinagar and other district headquarters.
He also said that, militants on the directions of their handlers across the border, are trying to misuse religious places to create law and order situation, but we are alert and shall be foiling their nefarious designs.
IGP Kashmir has once again advised all the protected persons especially Sarpanchs & Panchs to inform local police while they intent to go on any visit.
Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law regarding the encounters and further investigation is in progress.
