SRINAGAR: A militant killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Shirmal area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen, police said.
A police spokesman in a statement said that on a specific input regarding the presence of militants in orchards of Shirmal area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 178Bn CRPF in the said area.
He said that during the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“In the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Sajad Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Qadir Bhat resident of Badigam Aishmuqam Anantnag linked with proscribed outfit HM,” he added.
“As per police records, the killed militant was active since 14/09/2020 and was involved in several crime cases,” said the spokesman.
“Arms and ammunition including 01 pistol with magazine, 01 grenade & other incriminating materials were recovered from the encounter site,” he said, adding that “all the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other crimes. During the search operation, one hideout was busted and later on destroyed.”
“In this connection, police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and 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,” said the spokesman.
