6 militant associates arrested
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 10: Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar today said that the threat to Amarnath yatra and the National Highway was averted with the killing of two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba in an encounter with security forces in Dooru area of Anantnag district.
The IGP said that the encounter was very close to the National Highway and the imminent threat to National Highway and Amarnath yatra was neutralised.
About the operations taking place on the yatra route, Kumar said that security forces have intensified the anti-militancy operations along the yatra route to ensure smooth pilgrimage. “The yatra routes are safe and will be safer in the days ahead,” he said, adding that all threats of militants to disrupt the pilgrimage will be foiled
He said that this was the same group of militants who escaped from Watnad encounter last month in which one soldier lost his life.
He said that the operation was launched today after inputs about the presence of the militants in the village. He added as the security forces zeroed towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired on them, which was retaliated, triggering off the gunfight in which two militants were killed.
They have been identified as Arif Hussain Bhat and Suhail Ahmad Lone of Kulgam.
As per police records, they were part of groups involved in several militancy related cases including attacks on Police, security forces and civilians. They were involved in killing of Army man Nishan Singh during a search operation in Watnar Kokernag on 16-04-2022. Bhat was involved in killing of ASI Mohammad Ashraf son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar resident of Awantipora near Police Station Bijbehara on 22-12-2021, he was also involved in killing of HC Ali Mohammad Ganie near his residential house at Hasanpora Tabeela on 29-01-2022.
Lone has joined militancy on the behest of Raja Nadeem Rather of Ashmuji Kulgam.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 2 AK rifles, one pistol and 2 grenades were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.”
Militants managed to give slip to security forces during an overnight encounter at Pandoshan area of Shopian. However, a civilian lost his life besides that another civilian and a soldier was injured during initial stage of encounter.
A civilian Shahid Gani Dar son of Abdul Gani Dar resident of Pandoshan, Shopian succumbed to his injuries at 92 base hospital Srinagar here today.
Two civilians were injured during the initial exchange of fire last evening during a gun battle. They were airlifted to 92-base hospital Srinagar.
However, Shahid succumbed while as condition of another civilian Shoaib Ahmad Mantoo and soldier Sanjiv Das who was also injured during initial exchange is stable.
The operation was called off as militants managed to escape during initial stage of encounter taking advantage of darkness.
In the meantime, security forces today arrested four hybrid militants of The Resistance Front (TRF) in Bemina area of Srinagar and besides, two militant associates linked with LeT were arrested in Awantipora.
Acting on a specific tip off about the presence of militants in the general area of Bemina, a checkpoint was laid by PC Srinagar, 2RR and Bemina Police Station at Bemina Crossing, spokesman said, adding that two individuals approaching the checkpoint in a suspicious manner were challenged by the joint party on which they tried to flee.
However, they were tactfully apprehended by the joint party, he said adding they were identified as Tawoos Rasool Gada, son of Ghulam Rasool Gada and Saleem Jan Bhat, son of Muhammad Ashraf Bhat of Usmanabad opposite Degree College Bemina.
On their personal checking, one Chinese Tokarev Type 54 pistol, one magazine and 10 Chinese rounds each were recovered from their possession, police said, adding that on basis of their initial questioning, the individuals disclosed that they were working as hybrid militants of TRF/LeT and were involved in delivering pistols in the city to carry out targeted killings at the behest of Pakistani handlers.
On basis of the disclosures made by the two individuals, a cordon and search operation was launched at Hamdania Colony Srinagar and two more associates of the module identified as Abdul Hameed Rah alias Ali son of Ghulam Rasool Rah and Sajad Ahmed Marazi son of Khursheed Ahmed Marazi, both residents of Hamdania Colony Bemina, Srinagar were arrested.
During checking, two more Tokarev Type 54 pistol, two magazines and 10 Chinese rounds were recovered from their possession.
A case under the relevant provisions of law has been registered in Police Station Bemina and further investigation taken up, police said.
Meanwhile in Awantipora, acting on specific information, Awantipora police alongwith 50RR at a checkpoint established at Befina Chowk Pampore arrested two militant associates linked with LeT.
They have been identified as Arshid Ahmed Mir son of Farooq Ahmed Mir resident of Check Satoora Tral and Muzaffar Ahmad Chopan son of Khazir Mohmmad Chopan resident of Khanmoh Srinagar.
Incriminating materials including two hand grenades were recovered from their possession, police said, adding that during preliminary questioning, the arrested duo disclosed that they had received these grenades from an active militant outfit LeT Saqib Ahmad resident of Khanmoh and were tasked to lob them on security forces in the area.
A case under FIR number 51/2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered at PS Pampore and further investigation into the matter is in progress.
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