SRINAGAR: Three militants killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Chandgam area of Pulwama were affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, an official said.
A police spokesman in a statement said acting on specific input regarding the presence of militants in village Chandgam area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 55RR and 182Bn CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the joint search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” said the spokesman.
The spokesman in a statement said that in the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the encounter.
“Among the slain militants two have been identified as Mir Owais resident of Ashmander Pulwama and a Pakistani national Talha Yasir linked with proscribed outfit JeM. Regarding the third killed militant, although the recoveries made from the site of encounter indicate him to be a foreigner however his identification is being ascertained,” he said.
“As per police records, all the militants were part of group involved in several crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities. Several crime cases were registered against both the killed identified militants. Militant Owais was involved in killing of a civilian namely Azad Ahmad Dar of Kangan Pulwama. The killed Pakistani militant Talha was mastermind in preparation of Vehicle-borne IEDs besides, involved in attack on civilian at Wanpora area of Pulwama,” he added.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 02 M-4 Carbine and 01 AK series rifle were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” said the spokesman.
“IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint security forces for conducting successful operation without any collateral damage and also appreciated people of the area for their cooperation with the forces by maintaining calm and not resorting to any kind of violence during the course of operation,” he said.
“Police have registered case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” said the police spokesman.
