Srinagar rattles with gunfire after 2 years
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Nov 2: A top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander, Usman Bhai was among three militants killed in two separate gun battles in Kashmir today while an Over Ground Worker of Hizbul Mujahideen was arrested from Pulwama district.
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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir V K Birdhi said that acting on a specific lead, police and CRPF laid a siege in Khanyar area of Srinagar early this morning.
“As the security forces zeroed in on the suspected house, they came under a volley of fire. The fire was responded to after which a fierce encounter took place. All precautions were taken as the area was a congested one,” he said.
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The IGP said that the operation was conducted in a very professional manner to ensure zero collateral damage. “In the ensuing gunfight, one foreign terrorist was killed. He was identified as Usman alias Chota Waleed, the Lashkar-e-Toiba commander,” he said.
The Kashmir police chief said that slain was involved in the killing of police inspector Masroor Ahmed last year and his further role is being investigated.
The IGP said that in the gunfight two policemen and two CRPF personnel were injured who are stable.
Asked how the slain Usman reached Srinagar, which was declared a militant free area, the IGP said that inputs keep on coming to police about movement of terrorists. “The killing of Lashkar terrorist is a significant achievement,” he said
He said body of the slain terrorist has been retrieved while a large quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. The IGP said that while the operation has been completed, the area is being sanitised.
Today’s encounter in Srinagar was first after September 15, 2022 when two militants were killed in Nowgam area of the city.
Birdhi visited the injured jawans from the police and CAPF who were wounded during an encounter with terrorists in Khanyar, Srinagar, earlier today. “During his visit, the IGP expressed genuine concern for their recovery and inquired about their well-being, acknowledging their vital contributions to maintaining peace and security in the region. He also offered words of encouragement and assured the injured security personnel of full support throughout their recovery process,” a police spokesman in a statement said.
Two militants were killed in another encounter at Larnoo area of Anantnag district. The IGP Kashmir said that acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in Halkan Gali, Shangus, Larnoo area of Anantnag district, police, Army and the CRPF laid a siege in the area.
“As the forces inched closer to the terrorists, they opened fire and in the ensuing gunbattle, two terrorists were killed. The operation is underway in the area,” the IGP said, adding that the operation was on in the area.
Addressing a joint presser at Wuzur, Qazigund, headquarters, Commander 2 sector RR Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan said on October 8, Arbaz Mir, one of the slain terrorists had killed Rifleman Hilal Ahmed and he along with another one had fled to Kulgam.
“We received information about their movement in Halkan Gali, Larnoo after which a joint team of Army and police launched an operation. The movement of terrorists was noticed and they were challenged by the troops. The terrorists fired indiscriminately after which an intense gunfight boke out,” he said, adding that in the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed.
The Army officer said that from the slain terrorists one US made M-4 rifle and an AK rifle was recovered besides other arms and ammunition. “Arbaz had crossed over to other side of the LoC and he returned last year,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) South Kashmir Javaid Ahmed Matoo said that two slain terrorists were identified as Zahid Ahmed Reshi of Hassanpora Bijbehara and Arbaz Ahmed Mir of Qoimoh, Kulgam.
“Both the terrorists were involved in a series of attacks including the attacks on non-local labourers,” he said. The DIG said that early this morning, the area of Halkan Gali was cordoned off. “Zahid Rashid was involved in the killing of non-local in April this year and then he joined terrorist ranks. Arbaz has been missing since 2018. Both these terrorists were involved in many crimes,” he said.
Asked whether there were any third terrorist, he said there was input about only two and both were killed. On why oflate, Kashmir is witnessing spurt in encounters and attacks, the DIG said that terrorists have received a serious dent since past few years and now they are trying to show their presence. “We are tracking them and will eliminate the remaining ones as well,” he said.
In the meantime, security forces today arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizbul Mujahideen in Pulwama district.
A police official said that Pulwama Police and 55 RR arrested a hardcore OGW of Hizb from Tahab, Pulwama and recovered arms and ammunition from his possession.
“It was learnt that this arrest was based on information acquired through interrogation of 18 year old Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant Danish Bashir Ahenger alias Maulvi, who while moving with 10 grenades and five batteries was arrested in an intelligence based operation at a Naka Puwama on Tuesday”.
Sajad Ahmed Dar was the handler of Danish Bashir Ahenger and he only has instigated the latter to start working as an OGW. “Further it is believed that Sajad Ahmed Dar is a seasoned OGW and has been working for HM since long. The police have also recovered two grenades and one pistol from the shop of Sajad Ahmed Dar”.
Militants last evening shot at and injured two migrant workers in the Mazhama area of Budgam district.
The labourers were identified as Usman Malik, son of Muhammad Julfan Malik and Sufiyan, 25, son of Muhammad Inaam Ilyas.
Militants last evening opened fire on Army in Panar area of Bandipora district. The troops immediately cordoned off the area and a massive search operation was launched.
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