SRINAGAR: Three militants killed in a gunfight with the counter-insurgent forces in Pethseer area of Sopore were affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit, an official said.
A police spokesman in a statement said that during the intervening night of August 23, 2021, and August 24 based on specific input generated by Police regarding the presence of militants in Pethseer area of Sopore, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Sopore Police, Army (52RR) and CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given opportunity to surrender, however, instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” said the spokesman.
“However due to darkness the operation was suspended, while the cordon was kept intact. In the wee hours, repeated announcements were again made to the hiding militants to surrender, but the militants again fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated,” he said.
“In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Faisal Fayaz son of Fayaz Ah Thokar resident of Kapren Shopian, Gh Mustafa Sheikh son of Abdul Ahad Sheikh resident of Tekipura Kupwara and Rameez Ah Ghanie son of Ab Majeed Ghanie resident of Zipor Dharamati, Shopian, affiliated with proscribed militant outfit LeT (TRF),” he added.
“As per police records, the slain militants were part of groups involved in several crime cases including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities,” said the spokesman.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle & 02 Pistols 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 terror crimes,” he said.
“In this connection, Police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated,” he added.
“Pertinently, the collective efforts of J&K Police, Army, CRPF & people of Kashmir Valley have led to neutralisation of more than 100 militants in the current year so far in Kashmir division” said by IGP Kashmir.
He has also congratulated the joint teams working with great synergy and coordination on the ground for achieving this milestone and termed it as a big success.
