Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 22: A Jaish-e-Mohammad militant was killed in an overnight gun battle in Nowhal village of Chrar-e-Sharief area in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district while his associates fled from the cordon.
The encounter broke out last evening at Nowhal village of Chrar-e-Sharief, after police, Army and CRPF zeroed in Nowhal area of Chrar-e-Sharief on the basis of a specific lead about the presence of militants in the area.
The operation was put on halt last night and it resumed this morning during which a militant was killed. A soldier was injured in the initial exchange of firing who is being treated at 92-Base hospital at Badami Bagh Cantonment.
SSP Budgam Amod Nagpur said last evening, joint teams launched an operation on the basis of specific information about the presence of militants in Nowhal area of Chrar-e-Sharief area.
“The militants fired indiscriminately at the forces with bullets and grenades. Today morning, one unidentified militant was killed from whose possession large quantity of arms and ammunition besides incriminating material has been recovered,” the SSP said, adding that the slain militant is affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit.
Asked whether any militant managed to escape, he said that the operation was successful on part of the security forces. “There are a few associates of slain militant active in the area and we will soon catch them,” the SSP said, adding that the identity of the slain militant is being ascertained.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said that an Army soldier of 53 RR sustained splinter injuries in the gunfight who was shifted to hospital for treatment. “In the ensuing gunfight, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Asif Shah, a resident of Samboora, Pulwama who was affiliated with the militant outfit JeM,” the police spokesman said.
The body of the militant was taken to Handwara in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district for burial after medico-legal formalities.
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