Srinagar, Apr 24 (KNS): Srinagar missing teen was among three “terrorists” killed in an encounter in Pahoo village of Pulwama district on Sunday, police said here.
According to a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), based on specific input generated by Pulwama Police regarding presence of terrorists in Pahoo area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and Army (50RR ) in the said area.
The statement reads that during the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
“Later on CRPF also joined the operation. In the ensuing encounter, 03 terrorists linked with LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Arif Ahmad Hazar alias Rehan (Deputy of LeT’s top commander Basit), Abu Huzaifa alias Haqqani (Pakistani terrorist) and Natish Wani alias Haider resident of Khanyar, Srinagar,” it reads.
Its added that as per police records all the killed terrorists were part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities.
“Pertinently, the killed terrorist Arif Hazar was a categorized terrorist, active since March 2021 and involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities besides, several cases were registered against him in Srinagar city.”
It reads that he was involved in killing of Inspector Parvez in front of a mosque at Menganwari Nowgam on 22-06-2021, killing of PSI Arshid Ahmad Mir near PS Khanyar on 12-09-2021, killing of police personnel Javaid Ahmad at Saidapora Eidgah on 17-06-2021, killing of mobile shop owner Umar Nazir Bhat at Main Chowk Habba Kadal on 23-06-2021, killing of civilian Mohammad Shafi Dar at SD Colony Batamaloo, killing of civilian Rouf Ahmad Khan outside his house at Mejinpora Safakadal on 22-12-2021.
“Besides, he was also involved in grenade attacks on Police Patrolling Party at Safakadal and joint Naka party at Rainawari. Moreover, he alongwith his associates was also involved in an attack on BJP leader’s residence at Aribagh, Nowgam Srinagar. In this terror attack one police personnel Rameez Raja attained martyrdom and his service rifle was also snatched,” reads the statement.
It added that he was also involved in attack on two outside labourers at Suthsoo Kalan area of Nowgam on 22-04-2022.
IGP Kashmir termed this operation a big success and congratulated the joint forces for carrying out the operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage. (KNS)