Alert sounded along LoC after fresh infiltration
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 11 : A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, who was a part of a newly infiltrated militant group, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Srinder forest area of Bandipora district today while two associates of militants were arrested from Pulwama.
Inspector General of police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that the killed militant was a part of a newly infiltrated militant group. He said that search for other two militants is in progress in the area. “One AK rifle and 3 magazines were recovered from the encounter site,” he added.
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The killed militant has been identified as Gulzar Ahmad Gania of village Wusan in Pattan area of Baramulla district. He had exfiltrated to Pakistan in 2018 and had infiltrated into Bandipora area last week.
Earlier, security forces in the district were put on a high alert following reports of fresh infiltration of militant in the Valley from across the Line of Control.
Another official said that a group of militants have infiltrated into Banidpora area from PoK recently following which security forces including Army and police are on patrolling as the alert has been sounded across the district.
The gun battle broke out this afternoon after the Army’s 14RR and SOG of J&K police cordoned the Srinder forest belt of Bandipora district on a specific tip-off about the presence of militants of the newly infiltrated group.
As the security forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the security forces leading to a gunfight in which one Lashkar militant was killed.
Another gun battle broke out at Mirhama village of Bijbehara in Anantnag where security forces cordoned off the area following inputs about the presence of militants.
“As the joint team of security forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight,” the officials said, adding that two militants are likely trapped in the village. However, as of now no militant was killed in the operation which is going on in the area.
In the meantime, security forces today arrested a hybrid militant and his associate in Pulwama and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession.
Police said that acting on specific information, Pulwama police along with 50 RR of Army arrested a hybrid militant identified as Waqar Bashir Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat and his associate Shahid Ishaq Pandit, son of Muhammad Ishaq Pandit-both residents of Karimabad Pulwama.
“Incriminating material, arms and ammunition including one pistol, one magazine alongwith ammunition were recovered from his possession,” police said.
“During preliminary questioning, it surfaced that the duo was in direct contact with LeT Pakistani handler Ali Sajid and were tasked to carry out militant attacks and target outside labourers in the district,” Police said in a statement.
Police said that a case under relevant Sections of law stands registered in Police Station Pulwama and investigation has been initiated.
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