Srinagar, July 02 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday said that five militants including district commander of Lashar-e-Toiba militant outfit and a foreign militant were killed in an encounter that broke out last night in Hanjin Rajpora area of Pulwama district. An army soldier was also killed in the encounter, police said.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson said that during the intervening night, acting on a specific input regarding the presence of militants in Hanjin Rajpora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 182/183 BN CRPF in the area.
As per the statement, during the search operation, the civilians were evacuated to safer places and as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“Due to darkness the operation was suspended, however, the cordon remained intact throughout night. Today in the morning, repeated announcements were again made to hiding militants to surrender, but they fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated. In the initial exchange of fire two Army jawans received gunshot injuries and were evacuated to hospital, however, one among the injured succumbed and attained martyrdom,” it reads.
Its reads that during the ensuing encounter, five militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.
They have been identified as Nishaz Hussain Lone @ Khitab (district commander LeT) son of Manzoor Ahmed Lone, active since 2018 , resident of Nageenpora Tral, Danish Manzoor Shiekh son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Sathergund Kakapora, Amir Wagay son of Ab Gani Wagay resident of Hanjan Payeen, Mehran Manzoor resident of Jamalatoo Srinagar and a foreign militant identified as Abu Rehan @Tawheed resident of Pakistan. “All the killed militants were linked with proscribed militant outfit LeT.”
The statement reads that arms, ammunition & other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter including 01 SLR rifle bearing no. 16047232 recovered from today’s encounter site belonged to JKP (IRP 11 Bn) snatched by militants in the year 2016 from guard of TV tower Lower Munda, regarding which a Case vide FIR No. 135/16 stands registered at PS Duroo Anantnag.
Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir has congratulated Police and security forces for the big success and conducting successful operation in professional manner. (KNS)