Two Among Those Neutralized Were Involved In TV Artist’s Killing: IGP
Srinagar, May 27 (GNS): Four militants of Lashker-e-Toiba were killed while a ‘hybrid’ from the outfit was arrested within 24 hours, police said on Friday. It also claimed that two among those killed were involved in killing a TV artist in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
“At about 2133 hours, on a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of (militants) in Aghanzipora village of Awantipora (in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district), a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 55RR and CRPF’s 130Bn in the area,” a police spokesperson said in a statement to GNS.
“During the operation, as the joint search party was laying cordon around a cluster of houses, the hiding (militants) fired indiscriminately upon search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, two local LeT militants identified as Shahid Mushtaq Bhat of Hafroo Chadoora Budgam and Farhan Habib of Hakripora Pulwama were killed.
While interacting with media, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that both the killed militants had joined militant ranks recently and were “involved in killing of artiste Amreen Bhat in Chadoora area of Budgam on the directions of LeT Commander Lateef.”
“Besides, Srinagar Police developed an input about movement of (militants) from South Kashmir to Srinagar city and tracked their presence in Soura area,” he said in a statement to the Global News Agency, adding, “a special and small team of Srinagar Police launched a cordon and search operation in the area.”
During the search, he said, as the presence of militants was ascertained and search party proceeded towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants of the outfit were killed. They have been identified as Shakir Ahmad Waza and Afreen Aftab Malik, both residents of Trenz Shopian.
“As per police records both (of them) were categorized (militants) and were part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on Police and security forces.”
He said incriminating materials, “huge cache” of arms and ammunition was recovered from both the sites of encounter.
“The IGP congratulated the joint teams of Police/SF for their valour and determination to neutralize and avenge the killing of artiste Amreen Bhat within 24 hours,” the spokesperson said. He also termed these operations as a “big success” and said that during past three days, 10 militants including 3 from JeM and 7 from LeT have been killed in the valley.
Moreover, he said, Police along with security forces arrested one hybrid militant of LeT from Bemina area along with arms and ammunition.
“Acting on a specific tip-off about the movement of (militants) in the general area of Bemina, a joint checkpoint was established by Srinagar Police, 2nd RR and valley QAT CRPF at Bemina Crossing,” the spokesperson said, adding, “An individual suspiciously approaching towards the checkpoint was challenged who tried to flee from spot but was apprehended tactfully by the alert party.” He has been identified himself as Nasir Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Ahad Dar of Gund Brath Sopore. “On his personal search, one Pistol, one magazine and five live rounds were recovered”.
He said that preliminary investigation revealed that Dar accused was working as a “hybrid” militant of LeT outfit and was involved in delivering pistols in Srinagar City to carry out targeted killings. He said a case under the relevant provisions of law has been registered at Police Station Bemina and further investigation is in progress. (GNS)
