SRINAGAR: Police on Saturday identified the militant who was killed in an encounter in Mochwa Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district as a resident of Awantipora.
A police spokesman in a statement said that acting on specific information generated by Budgam Police about the presence of militants in Mochwa Chadoora area of Budgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 50RR and 181BN CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender, however, instead of surrendering they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said, adding that “in the ensuing encounter, one militant of proscribed outfit Al-Badr was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Shakir Bashir Dar son of Bashir Ahmad Dar resident of Goripora, Awantipora.”
“As per police records, the killed militant was part of groups involved in various crime cases and several crime cases were registered against him,” saud the spokesman.
“ It is pertinent to mention that Shakir Bashir was earlier working as a militant associate with proscribed outfit LeT and joined folds of proscribed outfit Al-Badr recently. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK-rifle with 02 Magazines, 32 rounds, 1 Chinese pistol with 02 Magazines, 16 rounds, 01 Bagpack and 01 Pouch were recovered from the site of encounter,” he said.
“While the said operation was in progress, it was learnt that while laying cordon another militant had managed to escape from the encounter site and the information was shared with Awantipora Police,” he added.
“Awantipora Police while developing the lead further launched a cordon and search operation in Mantaqi Colony Khrew area along with 50RR and 185BN CRPF. During search, the escaped militant was tracked down and arrested while hiding in a truck bearing registration No. JK13-2397,” said police spokesman in a statement.
“He has been identified as Shabir Ahmad Najar resident of Wuyan Khrew linked with proscribed outfit LeT. The driver of the truck identified as Mohd Shafi Dar resident of Gratwani Mohalla Khrew has also been arrested. Besides the said truck has also been seized,” he said.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 Chinese Pistol, 01 Pistol Magazine, 07 Pistol rounds, 02 AK-Magazines, 50 AK-rounds, 01 Chinese grenade, 5Kgs IED (destroyed on spot) were also recovered from the site,” he added.
“In this connection, Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law and further investigation is in progress,” said police spokesman in a statement.
