Most wanted Haider among dead, he had recruited 20 OGWs; DGP Singh
Srinagar, Aug 17: Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and a Special Police Officer (SPO) were killed in a militant attack on a naka party in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday.
However, after the attack on joint naka party, security forces gunned down three Lashkher-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including a top commander Sajjad Haider alias Raja in an encounter in the nearby orchard.
Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar described the killing of Haider a major success for security forces.
Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh told reporters at Police Control Room (PCR) here this evening that three militants were killed in the encounter by security forces. He said Haider, a most wanted, was responsible for recruiting Over Ground Workers (OGWs).
DGP Singh said he had recruited 20 youths as OGWs who were arrested so far. He said Haider was involved in number of killings and other militancy incidents, including murder of fruit merchants, non local labourers and security force personnel.
He said two other militants killed in the encounter included a Pak national Usman and Annatullah Mir who had joined the LeT in March this year.
Spokespersons of defence ministry and police said that a group of three militants attacked a joint naka party of CRPF and police at Watergam Kreeri in Baramulla district this morning. Two CRPF and a SPO were critically wounded who were shifted to hospital. However, all the three security personnel succumbed.
IGP Kumar said three militants of LeT appeared in the area from dense orchard to attack naka party. Later, they escaped back from the orchard, he said adding additional security forces were immediately rushed and a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) launched.
Spokespersons said during the operation contact was established with militants hiding in the area after the attack. Sniffer dogs were pressed into service to identify the area where the militants were hiding.
Encounter ensued after militants attacked search party with automatic weapons. Two LeT militants, including top commander Sajad alias Haider were killed.
Kumar described the killing of LeT commander a great success for security forces as the militants were wanted in several cases. Large cache of arms and ammunition, including a snatched rifle were recovered from the slain militants.
