Militant destroys 2 drones during encounter
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 13 Security forces prevented a major militant strike ahead of Independence day by killing a Pakistani militant commander in Kulgam district of South Kashmir today in an overnight gun battle.
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Police and Army used a rocket launcher during a gunfight with militants on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway near Malpora crossing in Kulgam last night.
Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said here on the sidelines of a function that security forces were well prepared for the operation. He said police and security forces averted a major tragedy from happening. “I am proud of police and security forces,” he said.
“Security forces were fully prepared. When BSF convoy passed, militants started indiscriminate firing from a huge building but there were no injuries. Security forces completely encircled the militants. Encounter ensued. I along with GOC Victor Force reached there. We used rocket launchers and neutralized the militant during the night,” he said.
The IGP while responding to a question said there were general inputs that militants were planning to carry out attack on highway, whether on Baramulla-Srinagar road, or between Panthachowk and Qazigund.
“As such security forces were very much alert. See the response, the militants fired, it was retaliated and militants were not allowed to flee”, he said.
He added that security has been increased everywhere in view of August 15 function. “People are being searched and frisked. Surveillance is done through drones. We are doing technical surveillance,” he said.
“There will be incident-free functions on August 15 and people are requested that there is nothing to fear. Pakistan continues instigating militants as in the past and now to carry out militant incidents. People need not to fear and participate in functions”, he said.
Security forces used rockets during the operation and police in a statement said the decision to use rocket launcher was taken as target building was a huge and concrete structure. “Drones were used to keep updating situation inside building. During this process, two drones were destroyed by the (militant). All precautions were followed to stop collateral damages”, the statement said.
The IGP said that it was difficult to carryout search during the night and in the morning, body of Usman Bhai a Pakistan (militant) who was active from last 6 months was recovered. He said huge quantity of arms and ammunition including AK-47 along with three magazines, RPG launcher and two grenades were recovered from his possession. “The recoveries indicate how big strike the militants were up to,” he said, adding, “after a long time RPG was used by militants.”
Police said two security forces personnel received injuries during the encounter whereas two civilians were injured far away from the site by stray projectiles.
“22 civilians including shopkeepers, elderly, women and children were also evacuated to safety by the security forces,” police said.
“The preliminary investigations, recoveries and the manner of engagement by the (militant) suggest that attack was a pre-planned one and intended to inflict considerable damage to the security forces to disrupt schedules functions of 15th August and spread fear amongst general public,” police said, adding, “joint teams of SFs were successful in averting a major tragedy before the Independence Day.”
IGP Kashmir and GOC Victor Force jointly termed it a big success, appreciated the alertness and appropriate action which led to killing of hardcore Pakistani militant without collateral damage.
A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) man was among three persons injured when militants hurled a grenade towards their camp at Main Chowk in Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district today.
Militants hurled a grenade at Main Chowk in Sopore injuring two civilians and a CRPF man of 179 battalion. The officials said that two civilians were identified as Abdur Rashid Dar and Ghulam Dar while injured CRPF man was P Karthik.
All three injured were taken to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore for treatment where their condition is stable.
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