Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 25: Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in an encounter in Lal Chowk area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district today while a massive search operation was launched in North Kashmir’s Keran sector against a militant group.
An encounter broke out after a joint operation was launched by Army, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Mehmaan Mohalla in Lal Chowk area of Anantnag town. The cordon-and-search-operation was launched in the area at midnight soon after security forces received information about presence of militants in the area.
As the security forces advanced towards the house where militants were hiding, they were fired upon. The security forces retaliated resulting in an encounter in which two militants were killed.
Police said that on the basis of the “incriminating materials” seized, it is established that they belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. “One of the slain militant was identified as Bilal Ahmad Dar alias Bin Yamin Dar son of Mohammad Yousuf Dar of Sofi Mohalla Khudwani, Kulgam. The identity of the other militant is yet to be ascertained”, police said.
“Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of the encounter,” police said, adding that as per police records, Bilal alias Bin Yamin Dar was involved in a series of militant acts.
Sources said that another militant was identified as Abid Hussain Bhat son of Wali Mohammad Bhat of Sazan, Bagwah, Doda in Jammu region. Abid, a 12th class student had joined the outfit on July 1 this month. Police have registered a case and investigation has been initiated into the matter.
Bilal was buried in his native village Khudwani where thousands of people gathered for his funeral. The body of Abid was handed over to his family members and is being taken to Sazan area in Doda.
Soon after the gunfight, authorities snapped internet services in Anantnag district and its adjoining parts. The train services were also suspended to and fro Srinagar to Banihal as a precautionary measure.
In the meantime, a massive operation has been launched by Army in Keran sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district following a brief gun battle with a group of militants this morning. The encounter started near Kashar Katan Nallah and Army believed that it is a group of 5-6 militants. More troops have been rushed to the area to assist troops, who spotted the militant group.
And a person arrested in connection with the killing of a civilian last week, escaped from police custody in Shopian district of South Kashmir today.
Suhail Ahmad Wani, brother of slain Hizb militant Nasir Wani of Heff village today escaped from the police station Zainapora.
Suhail was arrested along with two other persons Shakir Ahmad Padder of Heff Shopian (brother of slain HM commander Saddam Padder) and Suhail Ahmad Sheikh by SOG Zainapora in connection with the killing of the civilian Tariq Ahmad Mohand on July 15.
Body of Tariq Ahmad Mohand was recovered in Arwani on July 9 with torture marks all over his body.
Police later registered a case FIR no. 36 /2018 Under Section 302, 364 and 7/25 in police station Zainapora and arrested the trio.
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