2 soldiers martyred, PDP worker succumbs
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, May 16: A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was among five militants, two soldiers and two civilians killed in two separate gun battles in South Kashmir today.
Acting on the basis of a credible input about the presence of militants’ presence in a house, police and the Army cordoned off Dalipora area of Pulwama district at midnight.
A joint team of security forces including Army’s 55 RR and SOG Pulwama when zeroed on the house where militants were hiding, they were fired upon leading to an encounter.
Police said that militants opened heavy fire on the forces and in the initial exchange of fire an Army soldier was martyred and a civilian hit by bullets. Both were evacuated to the hospital where they succumbed,” police said. The soldier has been identified as Sepoy Sandeep and civilian as Rayees Ahmad Dar. Brother of Rayees Ahmad Dar, Yunus Ahmad Dar was also injured in the gun battle. Click here to watch video
Three militants including top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad Khalid Bhai, a resident of Pakistan were killed in the gun battle. Troops recovered three bodies of militants from the encounter site.
The two locals were identified as Naseer Pandith of Kareemabad Pulwama and Umar Mir of Shopian.
According to the police records, the killed militants were affiliated with JeM. They were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities.
As per police records, Naseer Pandith had a long history of militancy and several cases were registered against him for planning and executing attacks in the area after joining JeM. “He was also involved in the killing of a policeman Mohammad Yaqoob Shah of Pulwama in 2018 on the eve of Eid. He was also involved in some weapon snatching incidents reported from the area besides several cases were registered against him for his criminal activities including case FIR No 30/15 & 277/14 under NDPS Act and case FIR No 25/16 pertaining to forgery”, police said.
Similarly, Khalid who was operating as commander of JeM was involved in several attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities in the area. Many crime cases were registered against him. Umar Mir was also involved in several attacks and was part of terror groups responsible for attacks on security forces.
Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. All these materials have been taken in the case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crime cases.
Three militants and a soldier were killed in another encounter at Handew area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district today.
The encounter broke out after a joint team of Army’s 44 RR, SOG and CRPF launched a cordon and search operations this afternoon at Handew village.
Two militants and a civilian were killed in the gunfight and an Army soldier sustained bullet injuries during the operation. They have been identified as Yawer Mushtaq Dar alias Khalid Bhai son of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Bandpahu Thokerpora Zainapora, and Shakeel Ahmad Dar alias Abu Wasif son of Abdul Gani Dar. The civilian was identified as Ishtiaq Ahmad Bhat son of Dawood Ahmad Bhat resident of Hendew Shopian.
The injured soldier was taken to nearby Army’s health facility for treatment where from he was shifted to Army’s 92 Base Hospital Badamibagh Srinagar. However, he succumbed to injuries. He has been identified as Rohit Kumar Yadav of 44 RR.
The bodies of the slain militants have been recovered along with arms and ammunition.
Another encounter raged in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district when forces exchanged fire with the group of militants hiding in dense Nutnusa forests. Army had launched a massive search operation last evening at Kandi forest area at Razdan nad in Kupwara after noticing suspicious movement.
They said that during the searches, Army intercepted some militants and the contact was established this morning. However, the firing has stopped but militants are still hiding in the area and more troops have been rushed to the area to take on them.
And a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) worker who was shot at by militants last week in Shopian area of South Kashmir, succumbed to injuries today. Irfan Ahmad was shot at by militants in Zainapora area of Shopian on May 8 and was undergoing treatment in a Srinagar hospital since then.
Separatists have called for strike tomorrow against the killings. And in view of prevalent law and order situation, train services have been suspended between Banihal and Baramulla.
Army paid tribute to soldier Sandeep in a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt where Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks paid homage to the martyr on behalf of a proud nation. “In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the martyr”, army spokesman said.
“Late Sep Sandeep, sustained bullet injuries during a fierce operation at village Dalipora of Pulwama district. He was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries”, the spokesman said.
He added that martyr, late Sep Sandeep was 28 years old and had joined the Army in 2012. He belonged to village Behlba of Maham tehsil in district Rohtak, Haryana and is survived by his wife.
“The mortal remains of the martyr were taken for last rites to his native place, where he would be cremated with full military honours. In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family of the martyr and remains committed to their dignity and wellbeing”, the spokesman said.
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