Srinagar, Mar 28: Two militants killed in a encounter with the counter-insurgent forces in Wangam area in south Kashmir’s Shopian district were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, an official said.
A police spokesman in a statement said that yesterday at about 1815hrs, on a specific input generated by Shopian Police regarding the presence of militants in Wangam area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 34RR and 178Bn CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given the opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” said the spokesman.
“During initial exchange of fire three Army men sustained bullet injuries and were evacuated to hospital for treatment. However, one of the injured army men namely Pinku Kumar succumbed to his injuries,” he said.
“IGP Kashmir and all ranks of Kashmir Zone Police pay rich tributes to army man Pinku Kumar, who made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. We stand by his family at this critical juncture,” he added.
“In the ensuing encounter, two categorized militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Anaytullah Sheikh son of Mohd Amin Sheikh resident of Ramnagri Shopian affiliated with proscribed outfit HM and Adil Ahmad Malik son of Nazir Ahmad Malik resident of Danwathpora Kokernag, affiliated with proscribed militant outfit LeT (TRF),” said the spokesman.
“As per police records, militant Anaytullah Sheikh was active since 2018 and has recently infiltrated back from Pakistan and another militant Adil Ahmed Malik was active since 01/09/2020. They were involved in several criminal cases including attacks on forces and civilian atrocities,” he said.
“Arms and ammunition including 01 M4 rifle, 01 AK 47 rifle, pistol and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter,” he added.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other crimes,” said the spokesman.
“The last rites of the slain militants shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites,” he said.
“In this connection, police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials if any,” said the spokesman.