Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNS): Newly appointed district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir Kulgam district on Saturday, besides a sleeper cell module was busted in Pulwama district by militant associates of LeT outfit were arrested, police said here.

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a police spokesperson said that newly appointed district commander of HM Mudasir Wagay was killed in Kulgam encounter, besides, a sleeper cell module was busted in Pulwama after five active militant associates of LeT were arrested.

“Acting on specific input regarding presence of militants in Ashmuji area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the area,” reads the statement.

It reads that during the operation, as the presence of militants was ascertained they were given ample opportunities to surrender, instead they started firing indiscriminately on the search parties.

“The joint parties ensuring safety of civilians rescued and shifted all the civilians to safer places. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, newly appointed district commander of HM was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter,” it reads.

The slain was identified as Mudasir Wagay son of Jamal Wagay resident of Malwan Kulgam.

“As per police records, Mudasir was an A+ categorised militant and was active since 2018 figuring among the list of most wanted militants. He was part of groups involved in several militant crimes including attack on security forces and civilian atrocities. He was also involved in killing of a political worker Ghulam Hassan Lone in Devsar area of Kulgam,” the statement reads.

It reads that moreover, the Insas rifle recovered from him is the same which was snatched by militants in 2017 at Pombay DH Pora during an attack on a bank vehicle.

The statement also reads that besides, Pulwama police, during the investigation of cases pertaining to multiple grenade attacks in district Pulwama, busted a network of active associates of LeT by arresting five of them.

As per the statement, they have been identified as Showket Islam Dar son of Mohammad Rustom Dar, Aijaz Ahmad Lone son of Mohammad Abdullah, Aijaz Gulzar Lone son of Gulzar Ahmad, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad and Nasser Ahmad Shah son of Late Ghulam Rasool—all residents of Lelhar village of Pulwama.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the module was acting as sleeper cell and were involved in procurement as well as transportation of arms and ammunition. They were also involved in carrying out grenade attacks on security forces at the behest of their handlers,” it reads.

It reads that a case FIR No. 139/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered at PS Kakapora and further investigation into the matter was in progress. (KNS)