Army foils infiltration in Keran, kills 3
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 13: A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and his associate were killed in a fierce encounter in North Kashmir’s Sopore area today and Army foiled an infiltration attempt by militants in Keran sector of Kupwara district.
Army’s 22 RR, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police cordoned off Checkipora area of Sheikhpora, Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district this morning after inputs about presence of a group of militants hiding in the village.
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Militants fired upon the security forces during the searches. However, there were civilians in the area and security forces first evacuated them from encounter site to the safer areas before launching an attack on the militants.
Two militants were killed in the encounter and arms, ammunition and incriminating material was recovered from the site of encounter during the searches.
The killed militants have been identified as Ali alias Athar and Zia-ur-Rehman, both from Pakistan. Police said that they were affiliated with JeM.
They said that Ali was one of the important commanders of JeM and was active since 2014. He was mastermind of the Sopore IED blast in which four policemen were killed. “Besides, both of them were involved in attacks on security force establishments and civilian atrocities”, Police said.
Police has registered a case in this regard and the investigation has been initiated in the instant matter.
And Police in Ganderbal detained a militant and their handler today. The militant has been identified as Talha Umair alias Abu Hamza of Sehpora Ganderbal.
Police said that he had joined the militancy earlier this year. “The main handler Ishfaq Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Majeed Dar resident of Sehpora Ganderbal who has been instrumental in persuading him to join militant ranks has also been detained by police for questioning”, Police said.
Police said a few more arrests are also expected in coming days. “Moreover, Talha Umair has been found to be involved in the weapon snatching case at Hazratbal earlier this year. Investigation pertaining to the said case is also in progress”, police said.
In the meantime, Army today intercepted a group of militants in Keran sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The soldiers of 3 JAK Rifles manning the fence at Balbir post near Datgali in Keran intercepted a group of militants at around 10:40 am today.
The troops challenged them leading to an encounter. However, militants managed to escape and the searches of the area are going on. Sources said that three infiltrators were killed and their bodies are lying close to the LoC and have not been retrieved yet.
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