Innocent killings of civilians, cops being committed by local LeT militants: IGP
Shopian: One militant was killed in an encounter between security forces and militants in Shirmal village of Zainapora in South Kashmir’s Shopian district while a youth was shot dead by the unknown gunmen in Habba Kadal area of Srinagar on Wednesday.
Police said that one militant has been killed while as search operation in the areas was going on. Earlier, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.
He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
The official said that during the ensuing gunfight, one militant has been killed whose body is at Zainapora police station.
Meanwhile, police in a statement said that on a specific input regarding 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.
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 Hizbul Mujahideen. As per police records, the killed militant was active since 14-09-2020 and was involved in several cases.
Arms and ammunition including one pistol with magazine, one grenade and other incriminating materials were recovered from the encounter site. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other cases. 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.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old youth was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Habba Kadal Chowk in Srinagar on Wednesday evening.
Police said that the youth identified as Umer Ahmad was shot at near Fashion Inn shop by unknown gunmen. Police said that the youth was immediately rushed to SMHS hospital for treatment, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police in a statement said that in the evening at about 20:15 hours, militants fired upon a mobile shop owner inside his shop at Main Chowk Habba Kadal. He has been identified as Umer Nazir Bhat son of Nazir Ahmad Bhat resident of Kelashpora Habakadal.
In this incident, he received critical gunshot injuries and was shifted to nearby hospital for the treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Senior police officers reached at the spot. Investigation into the matter is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this incident. The area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on, the statement said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar said that these innocent killings of civilian and local policemen are being committed by local militants of LeT (self claimed as TRF) on the instruction of militant Abbas Sheikh. They have been indulging in the incidents for money being paid by Pakistani handlers. These criminals are falsely labeling these innocent persons as informers to hide their sin.