Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar May 7 : A top Lashkar-e-Toiba (TRF) commander Basit Dar and his associate were killed in an encounter with security forces in Kulgam district today.
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Two militants–TRF commander Basit Dar and his associate Faheem Ahmed Baba who was an Over Ground Worker (OGW) were killed in the overnight encounter at Redwani Payeen in Kulgam district.
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Security forces cordoned off the village yesterday afternoon after inputs about the presence of a group of militants. There was an initial contact with the militants and later there was lull for several hours. However, during midnight there was heavy firing from both sides which continued till morning. Both the militants were killed and later their dead bodies were recovered from the debris of the house where they were hiding.
Talking to reporters at the encounter site at Redwani Payeen Kulgam, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone, V K Bhirdi said that yesterday afternoon, police received a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area.
“Police along with other security forces laid a cordon. Today morning, an intense encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces that lasted till afternoon,” the IGP said.
The IGP said that in the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed including the top commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba (TRF) outfit Basit Dar of Redwani, Kulgam.
“He was an A category terrorist carrying a bounty of Rs 10 lakh on his head from the NIA with separate reward from the Police. Basit was active since 2021. He was involved in over 18 cases including attacks on security forces and minority members in Srinagar and South Kashmir,” the IGP said.
A hybrid militant cum OGW Faheem Ahmed Baba, son of late Ghulam Hassan Baba of Redwani, Payeen was also killed in the gun battle.
He said that the operation concluded this afternoon but the search operation to clear the debris from explosives was still going on.
The IGP said that police will not allow anyone to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and election festivity in Kashmir. “We are alert and ready to foil all nefarious attempts,” he said.
An official said that the search operation will remain on till Wednesday as debris clearance was still in progress. “There could be littered explosives. So, search operation will continue,” they said.
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