Jehangeer Ganai
Srinagar, Jun 29: Two locals militants affiliated with Lashker-e-Toiba outfit were killed in a gunfight between militants and security forces in Nawpora Mirbazar area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday
A senior police official said that acting on a specific input, joint team of police, Army and CRPF after receiving information about the presence of militants launched search operation in Nawpora area.
He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.
He said that during exchange of fire two local militants affiliated with LeT were killed and both were involved in several militancy related cases.
He identified slain as Yasir Wani of Wangund, Qazigund and Rayees Ahmad of Chotipora, Shopian.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar said that this like the recent operation at Trubji, this operation was also important as the site of encounter was very close to Yatra route.
“Both the killed militants have been identified as #categorised local militants of proscribed #terror outfit LeT. Again an important #encounter as the operation site was very close to NHW (#Yatra route).” Kashmir Police zone tweeted while quoting IGP Kashmir.
Meanwhile, police spokesman in a statement to KNO said that acting on specific input regarding the presence of militants in Nowpora, Mir Bazaar area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (9RR) in the said area. During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter. Later on CRPF (18Bn) also joined the operation.
“In the ensuing encounter, two local categorized militants of proscribed terror outfit LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Yasir Wani resident of Wangund, Kulgam and Raees Manzoor resident of Chotipora, Shopian,” the spokesman said.
“As per police records, both the killed militants were categorized and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SF and civilian atrocities,” he said. IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint teams for conducting the operation in professional manner without collateral damage. He also termed the operation as a big success as the operation site was very close to National Highway (Yatra route).
“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle and 01 Pistol were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the statement added.
