Srinagar, July 14: A Lashker-e-Toiba Commander was among three militants killed in a gunfight in Pulwama district of south Kashmir, police said on Wednesday.
A police spokesman said that acting on specific information about presence of militants in New Colony hospital road area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 55RR and CRPF in the area.
During the search operation, he said, the civilians were evacuated to safer places and as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given an opportunity to surrender.
However, he said, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.
“Due to darkness the operation was suspended, while the cordon remained intact,” he said in a statement to GNS.
Taking advantage of darkness, the militants tried to escape. However, he said, they couldn’t not do so.
“In the wee hours, repeated announcements were again made to them to surrender, but they again fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated,” the spokesman said.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, three militants of LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.
The spokesman identified them as LeT commander Aijaz alias Abu Huraira of Pakistan, Javeed Ahmad Rather son of Abdul Ganie Rather of Tahab Pulwama, and Shahnawaz Nazir Ganie son of Nazir Ahmad Ganie of Samboora Awantipora.
As per police records, he said, all the killed militants were part of group involved in various cases.
“Aijaz had a history of (militancy-related) cases. He was also instrumental in recruiting innocent youth into (militant folds besides, planning and executing several attacks in the area including attacks on Police and security establishments,” he said, adding, “Incriminating materials arms and ammunition including 2 Ak rifles and a pistol were recovered from the site of encounter.”