Srinagar: Three more militants were killed on Monday, taking the toll to seven in the gunfights that broke militants and security forces in South and north Kashmir in the last 24 hours, police said on Monday.
A police spokesperson said four militants were killed in northern Kashmir’s Kupwara district, two in Kulgam and one in Pulwama of south Kashmir.
“Yesterday, two Pakistani (militants) were neutralized in Chandigam Lolab area of Kupwara while as two more terrorists were killed today taking the toll to four,” he said. The killed militants include three Pakistanis identified as Bambar Khan, Al-Bakash, Aftab Bhai of LeT and a local terrorist Showket Ahmad Sheikh resident of Sedow Shopian on whose disclosure the said operation was conducted.
“It is pertinent to mention that Showket was mastermind behind an IED blast in a private vehicle at Sedow Shopian in which one soldier was killed and other injured,” he said, adding, “During his interrogation it was revealed that he used to ferry (militants) and Arms/Ammunition from Lolab to Shopian.”
The spokesperson said that Kupwara Police got his custody changed by the order of Court and arrested in one militancy related case. “During his interrogation in Kupwara he revealed several sensitive information related to (militant) operating in Lolab valley of Kupwara. On his disclosure, an operation was launched and he also got trapped in initial ensuing encounter in which one foreign (militant) was neutralized,” he claimed, adding, “Several attempts were made to rescue him but he also got neutralised in firing of (militants).” Later on two more foreign militants were killed, the spokesperson said.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two AK-series rifles, six AK Magazines, one M-4 rifle along with one Magazine and three live grenades were recovered from their possession,” the spokesperson said.
Moreover in Pulwama, he said, on a specific regarding presence of militant in village Chatpora area of the district, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 55RR and CRPF’s 182 battalion in the area. “As the joint party proceeded towards the suspected spot the hiding (militant) fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively by the joint forces, leading to an encounter,” police said, adding, “In the ensuing encounter, the (militant) was killed”. He has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Khan son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Khan of Maidan Chogal Handwara. As per police records, the Suhail was associated with LeT and “involved in several cases including attacks on Police/security forces’.