Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 22: Security forces today killed three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba outfits in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district who were involved in the killing of a police man.
Security forces early today launched a search operation at Redwani area in district Kulgam following credible inputs about the presence of three militants in the village. As the security forces advanced, hiding militants fired on them, resulting in a brief encounter in which three militants were killed. Click here to watch video
The three militants have been identified as Muawiya, a Pakistani national, Suhail Ahmad Dar of Redwani Balaa and Mudassar alias Rehaan of Katarsoo of HM and LeT. Police said that they were involved in the killing of constable Mohammad Saleem Shah.
Police said that Mauwiya’s involvement was established in a number of civilian killings. “Suhail who was working as a labourer earlier after he had dropped out from school had later joined a terror outfit. Police probe is on for ascertaining complicity of the other co-conspirators who assisted in the commission of the gruesome crime leading to the death of police person Saleem”, the spokesman said.
Arms and ammunition including two AK-47 rifles and a carbine were recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated into the matter.
Police described it as a significant breakthrough as they were prime accused involved in the yesterday’s abduction and killing of constable Mohammad Saleem of Kulgam.
Shah was abducted by militants from his native village in Kulgam district on Friday night and was shot dead on Saturday morning in Qoimoh area of the district.
A group of militants barged into his house and took him along. Saleem, who was earlier working as a Special Police Officer (SPO) was recently promoted as constable. He had come home on leave few days back from Kathua where he was undergoing training.
And security forces today arrested a LeT militant from Kupwara area of North Kashmir and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession.
A joint operation was launched by Army’s 30-RR, 92 Battalion of CRPF and Handwara Police at Hampora, Handwara in Kupwara district today. During searches an LeT militant Wagar Ahmed Malik, 23, of Kupwara was arrested. One UBGL and 613 rounds of AK-47 ammunition were recovered from him. He is being questioned by police and Army.
Meanwhile, militants this evening fired at the residential house of a local BJP leader in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Militants fired towards the house of Gulzar Ahmad Nengroo, general secretary BJP Pulwama, in Prichoo, village of the district. The PSOs of Nengroo retaliated by firing at the militants. However, there were no fatalities on either side.
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