They were involved in killing of 2 Councillors: IGP
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 4 : A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was among two militants killed in a gun battle in Nathipora area of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district today. They were involved in the killing of two Municipal Councillors.
The encounter had ensued after police, CRPF and Army’s 22 Rashtriya Rifles were fired upon during a cordon-and-search operation launched in the area amid specific information about the presence of the militants. The searches were launched on the basis of information provided by Kupwara police.
Two LeT militants including top commander were killed in the encounter and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.
They have been identified as a local militant, Wasim Ahmed Lone of Hatlangoo Sopore and a foreign militant Hamas alias Asrar alias Saria who was active since March 2018 in North Kashmir.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar told Excelsior that top commander Hamas was active in general area of Zaingeer, Warpora, Hatlangoo , Brath , Darpora, Bomai, Zaloora and Nathipora for last few years.
“He was active since 2018, being in the list of top 60 militants released by JKP recently, and was very instrumental in misleading the youth by motivating them to join militant organisations,” he said.
Kumar said that Hamas was also involved in multiple grenade lobbying incidents on security establishments and was also “involved in recent killing of two Councillors Peer Riyaz and Peer Shamusdin and an SPO Shafaat Ahmed on March 29.”
“He was involved in FIR No 349/20 u/s 307 ipc 3/4 explosive Substances Act 16 UAPA (Grenade Lobbying at PP Bus stand on 12.12.2020); FIR No 239/20 on 31.08.2020; 64/21 u/s 307,IPC 3 explosive substances Act 16 UAPA (Grenade Lobbying at Bus stand on 13.03.2021); 4.227/20 u/s 4/7 explosive Substance Act , 16 UAP act on 21.08.2020; 336/20 u/s 307 ipc 3/4 explosive 16 UAP Act on 01.12.2020 and FIR No 78/21 us 302,307ipc 7/27 Indian Arms Act 16, 18 UAPA ( attack on Municipal on 29.03.2020 office leaving three dead).”
Regarding Waseem Nazir Lone, the IGP said that he was a chronic stone pelter and was also working as OGW till the date he went missing and joined militant organisation LeT.
Police said arms and ammunition including one AK-47 rifle, one Insas rifle and other “incriminating materials” were recovered from the site of encounter.
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