Srinagar, Oct 13 (KNS): A top most militant commander of JeM outfit was killed in an encounter in Tral locality of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday, police said here.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a police spokesperson said that on a specific input generated by Awantipora Police regarding the presence of militants in Tilwani Mohalla of Waggad area of Tral, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army and CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given repeated opportunities to surrender, instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Shamus-ud-Din Sofi alias Sham Sofi a top commander of JeM,” the statement reads.
It reads that aper police records, he was a categorised militant and active since June-2019 figuring among the list of most wanted militants operating in the valley. He was also part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities to which several crime cases stand already registered against him,” it reads.
It reads that pertinently, he was first arrested in year 2004 and detained under PSA. “He was also involved in providing logistic support, shelter to the active militants operating in Tral area before joining the folds. Moreover, he was also involved in motivating local youth to join the militant folds, reviving the militant folds in Tral area and conspiring to destabilize the system by means of various acts. Besides, he was also involved in threatening the law abiding citizens and policemen also.”
It reads that Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and further investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar has congratulated the joint forces for the big success that led to the elimination of most wanted militant involved in several crime cases. (KNS)