SRINAGAR: Two militants killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Khurbatpora area of Kulgam were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, an official said.
A police spokesman in a statement said on 11.04.2022, based on specific input generated by Kulgam Police regarding movement of militants in a vehicle on Manzgam-Aharbal axis, a special joint team of Police & Army was constituted.
“At about 1750hrs, a three-wheeler vehicle (Tempo) was spotted near Khur-Batpora moving in suspicious conditions which was chased and challenged,” said the spokesman, adding that however, the militants travelling in the suspected vehicle jumped out and resorted to indiscriminate firing towards the joint team of forces.
“The militants’ fire was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” he said.
“In the initial exchange of fire two police personnel got critically injured and were evacuated amidst the heavy firing and air lifted to Army’s Base Hospital Srinagar where their condition is stable now,” he added.
The spokesman said that in the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved.
“They have been identified as a Pakistani militant Jameel Pasha @Usman Chacha linked with proscribed outfit JeM and a hybrid terrorist Sameer Ahmad Sofi son of Farooq Ahmad Sofi, resident of Amshipora, Shopian,” said the spokesman.
He said as per police records, the killed militant Jameel Pasha was active since 05 years in Kulgam-Shopian belt and had a history of militant crime cases including attacks on Police/SF, abduction of forces personnel, civilian atrocities, IED attacks, weapon looting.
“Besides, he was also instrumental in recruitment of gullible youth into militant folds. It is pertinent to mention that the killed militants were part of the group that escaped after a brief gunfight in Chaki Samad area of Kulgam on 09.04.2022,” said the spokesman.
IGP Kashmir appreciated joint team for conducting successful operation which led to elimination of most wanted Pakistani militant.
“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK47 rifle, 03 AK47 Magazine, 36 AK 47 rounds, 01 Pistol, 01 Pistol Magazine, 05 Pistol rounds, 01 Grenade catch 86P, 01 BP Pouch and 01 weapon Oil Bottle have been recovered,” said the spokesman.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes. Also the vehicle used in commission of crime has been seized,” he said.
He added that in this connection, a Case vide FIR No 09/2022 under relevant sections of law stands registered at Police Station Manzgam and investigation has been initiated.
‘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,” said the spokesman.
