SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday issued following statement regarding Pulwama gunfight saying that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in the orchards of village Kamrazipora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 53RR and 183BN CRPF in the said area.
A police spokesman in a statement said that 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, 01 militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Azaad Lalhari resident of Pulwama,” said the spokesman.
“During the said encounter, two Army jawans also received bullet injuries and were shifted to hospital for treatment. However, one of the injured Army jawan succumbed to his injuries and died. We pay our rich tributes to the army man for his supreme sacrifices in the line of duty,” he said.
“As per police records, Azaad was affiliated with proscribed outfit HM. According to the Police records, Azaad had a history of terror crime records and was involved in planning and executing several attacks in the area. Several crime cases were registered against him including Case FIR No. 112/2020 pertaining to the killing of HC Anoop Singh at Prichoo Pulwama, besides he was also involved in other crime cases including FIR No.’s 274/2014, 121/2015, 21/2017, 48/2017, 36/2020 of district Pulwama and case FIR No. 263/2017 of district Budgam,” he added.
The spokesman said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other crimes.
“Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from the inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead body of the slain militant shall be sent to Baramulla for his burial and last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the slain militants were allowed to participate in the last rites at Baramulla,” he said.
“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Rajpora and investigation has been initiated. 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.
