Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Mar 22: Security forces today recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from the Kupwara forests where five militants were eliminated in two day long gun battle in which five security men were also killed.
Security forces recovered five AK-45, 25 AK magazines, 800 AK rounds, 3 Icom sets, 2 VSM receiver, five pouches, Pakistan make medicines, two pistols, three GPS devices, six matrix sheets, hand grenades and food and clothing during searches from the forests of Cheke Fatehkhan, Halmatpora in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
Sources said that these five militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) had infiltrated into Lashdath forests on March 15 and were about to be received by two militants of LeT who are also foreigners. As soon as the reception party reached them, the area was cordoned off by troops after specific information and the two members of the reception party managed to flee away.
Sources said the four militants were killed on the first day and the lone surviving militant ambushed the Army and police party in the cordoned area, killing three Army personnel and two cops while injuring 4 security men. However, the militant was later shot dead by commandos of 4-Para.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Range, S P Pani today said that the operation was very difficult task for the security forces.
Speaking to reporters on the sideline of the wreath laying ceremony at District Police Line (DPL) here, the IGP informed that five militants were killed in the encounter while five security forces personnel including two Jammu and Kashmir Policemen and three Army troopers were killed in the gunfight.
Asked about the identification of the militants, the IGP informed that all the militants were foreigners and the material that was recovered there indicated that they were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
He also informed that a huge arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site at Kupwara.
“The encounter that started in the dense forest was difficult task for the forces owing to the thick vegetation. But the forces very carefully completed the operation,” the IGP added.
In the meantime, hundreds of people today participated in the two different funeral of an Army soldier and a cop in district Kupwara today. They were killed in the Halmatpora area of Kupwara Yesterday during a gun battle.
The body of Mohammad Ashraf Rather of JAKLI, a resident of Reshigund Kralpora area of Kupwara here reached Zangli helipad today and was taken to his native village. Hundreds of people had gathered at the village to participate in funeral procession of slain Army jawan.
Rather is survived by his pregnant wife, father and his three year old daughter. He was the lone bread winner for his family.
Top Army officers including Brigade Commander brought the body to his home in Reshigund village and later participated in wreath lying ceremony which was held with full military honours.
Fayaz Ahmad, brother of Mohammad Ashraf said that his brother served the Army for more than14 years. “He was martyred on duty and I am proud of that. My appeal to Prime Minister is to talk to Pakistan as these are our own people who are being killed on both sides. My request is for God’s sake maintain peace in the Valley. He sacrificed his life on the duty”, he said.
Rather’s cousin said: “He was a good person and had good relation with all the people. We appeal to the Government to talk to Pakistan as we are not able to tolerate dead bodies.”
Hundreds of people also participated in last rites of SPO Mohammad Yousuf Bajaad of Kachama Harri area of Kupwara amid emotional scenes.
And Army today paid tribute to three of its men who were killed in the Kupwara encounter yesterday. “In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation. In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs”, Srinagar based Defence spokesman said here.
“Late Havaldar Joravar Singh, Naik Ranjeet Khalkho and Naik Mohd Ashraf Rather sustained bullet injuries during the fierce operation in Chack Fatheh Khan Forest in Halmatpora of Kupwara district. They were provided immediate first aid and evacuated to hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. Martyr Hav Joravar Singh, 45 years of age, had joined Army in 1993 and hailed from village Rait in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his wife and three children”, he said.
“Coming from Village Dudhakhuti in Ranchi, Jharkhand, martyr Naik Ranjeet Khalkho was 33 years old and had joined Army in 2001. He is survived by his parents, a brother and three sisters”, the spokesman added.
“Martyr Naik Mohd Ashraf Rather was 35 years in age and had joined the Army in 2004. He belonged to village Reshigund of Kralpora in Jammu and Kashmir and is survived by his wife and a daughter”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman further said: “The mortal remains of the martyrs were flown for last rites to their native places, where their it will be performed 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.”
In the meantime, a youth, who was critically injured after being allegedly thrashed by militants on March 8, died in the S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) today.
Omais Rashid Bhat, 20, was kidnapped and later tortured by militants for his alleged links with security forces at Qoimoh in Kulgam district on March 8.
He was found in an unconscious condition next morning at Batpora and immediately rushed to local hospital from where he was referred to SKIMS. However, Bhat lost the battle and succumbed to his injuries.
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