Militants can’t deter us from bringing peace: IGP Kashmir
Srinagar: Four militants were killed in twin encounters that broke out between security forces and militants in Kupwara and Kulgam districts of Kashmir on Sunday, police said.
A police official told a local news gathering agency that four militants including two Pakistani residents have been killed in two ongoing operations in Kupwara and Kulgam districts of Kashmir.
“Kupwara Police along with Army (28RR) launched a joint anti-militant operation today on the disclosure of an arrested militant Showkat Ahmad Sheikh in Forests of Chandigam Lolab area of Kupwara,” he said, adding that during the search of a hideout, the hiding militants started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
“In the initial exchange of fire, one militant was killed and the arrested militant leading search party also got trapped. In the ensuing encounter, so far two Pakistani militants of LeT were killed. Heavy exchange of fire is still going on and operation is in progress,” the officer said.
About Kulgam operation, he said that based on specific input generated by police regarding presence of militants in DH Pora Kulgam, a joint cordon and search was launched by Police and Army (9RR) in the said area.
“As the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said.
“Later on CRPF also joined the operation. In the ongoing encounter, two local militants were killed so far. They have been identified as Haris Sharief of Srinagar and Zakir Padder of Kulgam,” the officer added.
As per police records, the slain militant Haris Sharief was linked with LeT while as Zakir Padder was linked with JeM and both were categorised militants.
The duo was part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities.
“Both the operations are still going on and further details regarding the operations shall follow,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Kashmir Police (IGP) Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar said that the militants can’t deter the efforts to bring peace in valley while the anti-militancy operations will continue simultaneously in all the three regions including North, South and central Kashmir specially against foreign militants.
“By targeting innocent civilians including women and kids, unarmed policemen and outside labourers, militants can’t deter our efforts to bring peace in valley. Our CT operations will continue simultaneously in all 3 regions of Kashmir specially against foreign terrorists,” Kashmir Zone Police quoting IGP tweeted. (KNO)