SRINAGAR: Two militants killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Dadura area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit, police said.
A police spokesman in a statement said that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in Dadura area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 55 RR and 182 BN CRPF in the said area.
The 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 instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed while as the third one was arrested alive. The dead bodies of the 02 killed militants have been retrieved from the site of encounter,” he said, adding that one of them has been identified as Zahid Nazir Bhat @ Zahid tiger son of Nazir Ahmad Bhat resident of Drubgam Pulwama and the identity of other militant is being ascertained.
“However, as per the reliable sources, he is believed to be a Pakistani national. Besides, the militant who was arrested alive along with arms and ammunition during the encounter has been identified as Firdous Ahmad Tak son of Abdul Ghani Tak resident of Dhara Posta Doda,” said the spokesman.
“As per police records, the slain militants had a history of crime records. They were involved in planning and executing several attacks including civilian atrocities and attacks on security establishments. Zahid Nazir was the operational commander of proscribed outfit LeT and was active since May 2017,” he said.
The spokesman said, “IGP Kashmir appreciated the police and security forces for exhibiting valour, professionalism by conducting successful operation without any collateral damage, besides saving precious life of one newly joined militant during the live encounter.”
“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 their complicity in other crimes,” he said.
“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 bodies of the slain militants shall be sent to Handwara for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities. The nearest family members of the local militant shall be allowed to participate in the last rites,” he added.
“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered 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.
