Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 13: In a major success to the security forces, operational commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and one of the longest surviving militants Yasin Yatoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi was killed today in an overnight encounter, taking the death toll to 5 while two protesters were killed in security forces firing this evening on protests that broke after the gun battle while a man injured in a blast in Srinagar last evening succumbed to injuries.
The night-long fierce encounter in Awnera village in Shopian that started last evening ended this morning after the killing of ‘operational commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen Yasin Yatoo alias Mahmood Ghaznawai. His two associates were killed by security forces last night and the dead bodies were recovered this morning. Two Army personnel were also killed and three others injured in the encounter last night.
Earlier, police suspected that the killed militant was Adil Malik but later he was identified as Yasin Yatoo after his family was called from Budgam for identification. The two other slain militants were identified as Umar Majid Sheikh, resident of Kathpora Yaripora and Irfan ul Sheikh, resident of Maldaira Shopian.
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Itoo, from Chadoora area of Budgam district of central Kashmir, had a long association with Hizbul Mujahideen. He was oldest surviving militant in Valley who joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 1996 and was arrested in 2007 and later released on parole in 2014 after remaining in jail for 7 years. He joined the militant group again and was chief operations commander of the outfit.
One Kevyt Konekivaan (KK) series rifle used by Itoo and two AK series rifles of his associates were recovered from the encounter site.
His associate, Irfan, was a tech-savvy militant and was involved in online propaganda for the militant outfit and Umar, who was personal security guard of Ghaznavi.
The gun battle in which they were killed started last evening when Army’s 3 RR, 55 RR, police and SOG cordoned off the village and search operation after inputs about presence of a group of militants, including some top commanders of HM.
Militants fired on security forces when the cordon and searches were being conducted in which five Army soldiers were injured. “The injured were rushed to 92 Base Hospital at BB Cant where two soldiers succumbed to their injuries. The martyred Army men were identified as Sepoy Gawai Sumedh Waman, 25, and Sepoy Ilayaraja P, also 25 years-old. The three injured including a Captain, are undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The militants were shifting from one house to another during the encounter and four houses were damaged in the gun fight that ended this morning.
Authorities suspended internet services in Shopian and Kulgam to prevent spreading of information about the encounter and mobilization of people towards the encounter site. And soon after the gun battle ended, clashes erupted in Zainapora and other areas in Shopian with protesters pelting stones at security forces. Several protesters were injured among which one was referred to a Srinagar hospital.
He has been identified as 26-year-old Mohammad Sayed Bhat son of Ghulam Hassan of Zainapora. He was injured critically in firing by security forces in Shopian and was shifted to SMHS hospital Srinagar for treatment. He later succumbed to injuries.
A youth was killed after he was hit by pellets in Kakapora area of Pulwama district during clashes between security forces and protesters.
A youth identified as Owais Ahmad Dar, son of Mohammad Shafi Dar of Kakapora Pulwama was seriously hurt when he was hit by pellets fired by security forces at Kakapora this evening.
The security forces coming from Shopian were attacked with stones at Kakapora in Pulwama and they fired pellets which hit Owais in right part of his chest. He was shifted to nearby hospital from where he was referred to SMHS Hospital Srinagar where doctors declared him brought dead.
And keeping in view the situation, the Director School Education has issued an order for the closure of all educational institutions for tomorrow as a precautionary measure. Earlier, Government had ordered closure of few colleges and Higher secondary schools in Srinagar for tomorrow.
And a police spokesman while giving details about the encounter at Awneera village of Zainapora Shopian said that acting on a specific information, Shopian police along with 3 RR, 14 and 177 battalions of CRPF launched a cordon and search operation at Awneera village in Zainapora, Shopian. “During the search operation, militants hiding in the area fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated, ensuing an encounter”, he said.
The spokesman said that three Hizb militants were killed in the encounter. The slain militants were identified as Irfan-ul-Haq resident of Maldara, Zainapora, Umar Majeed Mir resident of Kulgam and Yaseen Yatoo of Chadoora Budgam. “Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site”, he said.
“Five Army personnel were injured during the encounter who were shifted to hospital for treatment. Among the injured, two Army personnel succumbed to their injuries and achieved martyrdom”, he said.
“The slain militants were involved in many anti national and unlawful activities. Umer Majeed Mir was involved in grenade attack on security forces at Yaripora and many firing incidents including Yaripora and Kanjikullah. He was also involved in bank robbery case of PS Yaripora”, the spokesman said.
“Irfan-ul-Haq was involved in many cases including grenade attacks and firing on security personnel. He along with this associates was involved in the killing of shopkeeper resident of Heff and Advocate Imtiyaz Ahmad Khan resident of Pinjora. He was involved in attack on guards of MLA Shopian and MLC Showkat Ahmad. He was also involved in firing on Bn Hqrs IRP 18th Bn Reshipora and on Army party at Moolu Chitragam”, the spokesman said.
“At the time of withdrawal of the CASO party from the encounter site, the militants fired indiscriminately upon army vehicles in which one person Mohammad Syed of Shopian was injured. He was shifted to hospital for treatment. The media persons who had gone to cover the encounter got stuck when the militants fired upon the CASO party when it was de-inducting. The media persons were evacuated in bullet proof vehicles of police”, the spokesman said.
And three soldiers were injured as militants attacked an army post in Uri sector of Baramulla district in north Kashmir today.
A group of militants targeted an army post of 20 Sikh regiment at Baaz in Uri at 1730 hours. The firing resulted in injuries to three soldiers who were airlifted to Srinagar for treatment. One of the injured is critical.
They have been identified as Lans Naik Balwinder Singh, Rifleman Gurjeewan and Sepoy Kulwinder. Singh who has bullet wound in chest is stated to be critical.
In the meanwhile, two policemen were injured this morning in Hajin, Bandipora when militants fired on them during cordon and search operation in the area.
Police said the militants managed to escape as local residents threw stones towards security forces to disrupt the operation and helped militants flee.
Meanwhile, the civilian, Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir of Hawal, Srinagar, who was injured during an explosion yesterday near Budyari Chowk, Dalgate, has succumbed to his injuries Police said that Mir was admitted at SMHS Hospital and he was referred to SKIMS Soura during wee hours today for further treatment. “He succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS,” the police said.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said: “Army today paid befitting tributes to two of its comrades who attained martyrdom during Counter Terrorist operations in Shopian on 12 Aug 2017. In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen JS Sandhu, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation. Representatives and officials from the State Government and other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs.”
“Martyr Sep Gawai Sumedh Waman, 25 years of age, had joined the Army in 2011 and hailed from village Lonagra in Akola, Maharashtra. He is survived by his Parents, one brother and one sister. Coming from village Kandani of Sivagangai district in Tamil Nadu, the young martyr Sep Ilayaraja P was also 25 years in age and had donned the uniform in 2012. He is survived by his parents, wife and sister”, he said.
The spokesman said: “The mortal remains of the martyrs were flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours. In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyrs and remains committed to their dignity and well being.”
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