Srinagar, Sept 24 (GNS): A militant of Al-Badr was killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in Machama area of Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday.
A police spokesperson said that based on a specific input regarding presence of militants in the area, a joint cordon-and-search-operation was launched by Police, army’s 42 RR and CRPF’s 180 batallion.
“During the search operation, as the presence of (militant) got ascertained he was given opportunity to surrender, however instead he fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the spokesman said in a statement to GNS, adding, “In the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.”
The slain was identified as Irfan-ul-Haq Dar of Gadikhal Charsoo Awantipora who as per the spokesperson was associated with Al-Badr militant outfit.
“As per the police records the killed (militant) was involved in grenade lobbing grenade on Police Station Awantipora for which case vide FIR No. 54/2019 under relevant sections of law and 7/27 A.Act stands registered at Police Station Awantipora.”
Irfan-ul-Haq, he said, was arrested and subsequently sent to Kot Balwal Jail Jammu last year. Earlier in 2016 he was involved in stone pelting and arson case of Police Station Awantipora (FIR No. 126/2016).
“After his release in April 2020, Irfan-ul-Haq was secretly involved in militant activities which include Al-Badr related recruitment in Awantipora and Tral areas. He was an important motivator and influenced young minds for joining (militants) ranks in Awantipora and Tral areas.”
The spokesperson said that keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the body of the militant has been sent to Handwara for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities.(GNS)
