SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday issued the following statement regarding Kulgam gunfight saying that on a specific input generated by Police regarding the presence of militants in village Nagnad-Chimmer area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by JKP, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the said area.
A police spokesman in a statement said, “During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.”
“In the ensuing encounter, 03 militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter,” said the spokesman.
“One of the slain militants has been identified as a Pakistani national Walid, an IED expert and a most wanted. However, the identification of the other two killed militants being ascertained. The slain militants were affiliated with proscribed outfit JeM,” he said.
“As per Police records, Walid was involved in several attacks including civilian atrocities. He was involved in the killing of 04 civilians in Kulgam. He was also involved in luring innocent youth to join militant ranks,” he added.
The spokesman said that arms and ammunition including M-4 rifle, AK rifle, Pistol, Grenade Launcher, Grenades and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other crimes,” he said.
“The dead bodies of the slain militants shall be sent to Handwara for their last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including a collection of their DNA. In case any family claims the slain militants to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for their identification and participation in last rites at Handwara,” he added.
“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station D.H Pora and investigation has been initiated,” he further added.
“People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” said police spokesman in a statement.
