SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have issued the following detailed statement on the Shopian and Sopore encounters. While the south Kashmir encounter concluded, the one in north Kashmir is still in progress:
“During the intervening night of 27/28 May, acting on specific information about presence of terrorists in Frisal area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Kulgam Police, 1RR and CRPF in the said area. During the search, an active categorized terrorist Zakir Bhat of proscribed terror outfit HM was arrested. Investigations reveal that Zakir Bhat is basically a resident of Kulgam district and living in Shopian for the last 8 years. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition have also been recovered from his possession. In this regard, a case has been registered and further investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, today at about 1500hrs acting on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in orchards of village Ganapora area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 14Bn CRPF in the said area. During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given repeated opportunities to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter. He has been identified as Aitmad Ahmad Dar resident of Awend Shopian linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT. As per police records, the killed terrorist was active since 26/03/2021 and was involved in several terror crime cases.
Arms and ammunition including 01 AK-56 rifle & other incriminating materials were recovered from the encounter site. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other terror crimes. In this connection, Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and an investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials if any.
IGP Kashmir congratulates Police & security forces for conducting a successful operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage.
Moreover, in the evening at about 1930hrs, a joint party of Police and security forces at Usmanabad Warpora area of Sopore while laying cordon of suspected house terrorists fired upon our party and escaped from the house during a brief exchange of fire. Reinforcements came and nearby orchard cordoned and search is going on. Further details shall follow.”
