Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 23: A top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was killed while three police men were injured in an encounter in the heart of Srinagar early today.
A senior police officer said here that LeT commander for North Kashmir, Hilal Molvi was killed in an encounter with police in Narparistan, Fatah Kadal area of old Srinagar city this morning. He said that Sub-Inspector Taseer Ahmad and constables, Basharat Ahmad and Mukhtar Ahmad, were injured in the gunfight.
The encounter took place early in the morning after police and CRPF surrounded a residential house in the densely populated area in Narparistan Fateh Kadal on receiving specific information about the militant’s presence.
Police said that Hilal fired on the police when he was asked to surrender. “The fire was returned, in which Hilal Molvi was killed. He belonged to Palhalan, Pattan town of Baramulla district and had been active since last four to five years”, he added.
Police said that Police and CRPF launched a joint operation last night in the area after receiving a specific information. “The area was cordoned off. The hiding militant threw grenades towards the operation party and also fired rounds. The Police party retaliated and in this gunfight, the militant was killed”, he added.
The police spokesman said that Hilal was wanted in 10 FIRs lodged at different police stations, for his role in militancy related incidents.
The spokesman said that Hilal was involved in the killing of a Sarpanch in Palhalan along with another militant Shaka. “He was involved in the killing of a civilian Bashir Ahmad of Kunzer. He was also involved in grenade attacks in Pattan. He was actively involved in extending the network of militants at various places in the Valley. He was also involved in burning of Police Station Pattan in 2010”, the spokesman added.
It may be mentioned here that Hilal Molvi gave slip to the police and Army on April 25 when his associate Shabir Ahmad Sheikh alias Tameem alias Sufiyan resident of Palhalan was killed in Sopore. The encounter took place a day after Divisional Commander of LeT Fahadullah was arrested. Both of them were called by Fahadullah to an orchard at Wagub village in Sopore area soon after his arrest where security forces were waiting for them.
Killing of Hilal Molvi is a major setback to the LeT in North Kashmir after the arrest of Fahadullah. After Fahadullah’s arrest two of his associates were killed while over two dozen militants and Over Ground Workers of the LeT were arrested.
After hearing the killing of Hilal Molvi youth came out in Palhalan, Pattan in Baramulla and pelted stones at the security forces who were deployed in full strength in the village on Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway. Police restored to tear shells and fired pellets at the protesters during which two persons received minor pellet injuries.
Body of Hilal Molvi was handed over to his relatives in the evening and large number of people took part in his last rites.
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