Militant killed, 2 arrested

Sniffer dog killed during the operation when it was sent inside the home during encounter in Baramulla on Saturday. — Excelsior/Aabid Nabi
Sniffer dog killed during the operation when it was sent inside the home during encounter in Baramulla on Saturday. — Excelsior/Aabid Nabi

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 30: A militant was killed and three security men injured in an encounter in Baramulla district today while two militants were apprehended in Bandipora district with arms and ammunition.
Security forces including police, 29 RR of Army and 2nd Battalion of SSB launched a search operation in village Wanigam Bala area of Kreeri in Baramulla district this morning after a tip off about the presence of militants hiding in the area.
The hiding militant fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated by troops leading to an encounter.
In the initial exchange of fire, two Army personnel and a cop were injured and shifted to hospital for treatment where their condition is stable.
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One militant was killed during the gun battle and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter. He has been identified as Akhtar Hussain Bhat alias Abid Bhai son of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat R/o Trich, Kupwara, affiliated with JeM. he was missing since July 16 this year.
One assault dog of the Army was also killed in the encounter.
Security forces recovered one AK-47 rrifle, three magazines, 7-AK rounds, one pouch and one bag besides incriminating material was recovered from the site of the encounter.
Two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were arrested by security forces in Rafiabad area of Baramulla district today.
A police spokesman said that this evening a speculative joint checking was launched at Hadipora in Rafiabad area of Baramulla by police, Army’s 32 RR and 92 battalion of CRPF.
“During the search on seeing the security forces naka party, two people started running towards orchards either side of the road in panic and urgency. This suspicious movement was noticed by joint naka and party rushed to challenge both the individuals,” the spokesman said.
“Security forces noticed that both the persons were carrying pistols. The individuals were loading their pistols and before these militants could point the pistols at security after loading, they were nabbed by the security forces. Eventually, both the militants were apprehended with arms and ammunition,” the spokesman said.
They have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Wani son of late Bashir Ahmad Wani of Old Airfield, Rangreth, Srinagar and Ishfaq Ahmad Wani son of Ali Mohammad Wani of Old Airfield, Rangreth, Srinagar.
Two pistols, two pistol magazines and 11 rounds of ammunition were recovered from them.
The spokesman said that apprehension of LeT militants averted a major incident in North Kashmir as they were assigned to plan an attack on security force personnel and VIPs by their handlers sitting across the border.
“These individuals have been apprehended previously for stone pelting and on militancy related charges,” he added.
“Security forces constantly urge the youth of the Valley not to get carried away and refrain from coming under the influence of devious self-serving anti-national elements. These handlers from across the border are desperate to revive militancy in the Valley. They brainwash innocent youth and use them as puppets to fulfil their insidious treacherous goals in the name of religion,” the spokesman added.