Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 25: Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, today said that a major threat to Shri Amarnath yatra has been neturalised after three foreign militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad were killed in a gun battle in Kreeri area of Baramulla district today.
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Kumar termed the elimination of three foreign militants as a big success as the group was on their way to Srinagar for carrying out attacks. He said that by their killing a major threat to Yatra was neutralised. He congratulated the joint forces for their relentless work and great synergy and coordination on ground that led to elimination of 22 foreign militants in Kashmir this year.
Earlier in the day, police along with Army launched an operation after inputs about movement of militants in Kreeri area of Baramulla. A joint special checkpoints were established at many places including near Shrakwara-Najibhat Crossing in Kreeri area by police and 52 RR of Army.
As the joint party was noticed by a group of militants travelling in a silver color Santro car, they started firing indiscriminately upon the joint party which was retaliated effectively leading to a chance encounter.
Three Pakistani militants were killed in the shootout and a police personnel Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh received critical gunshot injuries. He was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Grief-stricken father of the policeman said that he is proud his son made the sacrifice for the sake of the country.
“I am proud of my son. He laid down his life for the country. Besides he saved the lives of thousands of people, that is why we are happy and proud that our son has been martyred,” Maqsood Ahmad Sheikh told reporters on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of his son at DPL Baramulla.
The militants killed in the encounter have been identified as Ali Bhai, Hanief Bhai and Shah Wali, all residents of Pakistan. The group was active in Pattan-Kreeri area of Baramulla district and were being tracked by security forces. The searches in the area were on against another suspect who police says escaped from the spot.
Police said that incriminating materials, huge cache of arms and ammunition and IEDs including three AK-47 rifles, 15 AK-47 magazines, 344 AK-rounds, five Chinese grenades and three IEDs have been recovered from the site of encounter. An official said that AK rounds recovered were steel bullets.
In the meantime, militants this evening shot dead a TV artist while her nephew was injured in the attack at Chadoora in Budgam district.
Police said that militants shot at TV artist Ambreen Bhat daughter of Khazir Mohammad Bhat of Hushroo in Chadoora area of Budgam district this evening while her nephew was also injured in the attack. They were referred to hospital where Ambreen was declared as brought dead. However, her 10-year-old nephew Farhan Zubair is out of danger.
He said that a massive operation has been launched in the area to trace out the militants responsible for her killing.
He also said that militant Adil resident of Ganderbal and a newly recruited militant Aquib of Chadoora Budgam killed a cop in Soura area of Srinagar yesterday.
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