According to a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), based on specific input generated by police regarding presence of terrorists in Rainawari area of Srinagar, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Srinagar Police and Valley QRT CRPF 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.

 

“In the ensuing encounter, two terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Rayees Ahmad Bhat and Hilal Ahmad Rah, both residents of Bijbehara Anantnag, linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT,” it reads. 

 

It reads that as per police records both the killed terrorists were categorized and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities. 

 

“It is pertinent to mention that Rayees Ahmad was earlier working as a journalist and was running online news portal ‘Valley News Service’ in Anantnag. He had joined terrorist ranks in 2021 and was wanted by law in cases related to terror crime. He was also responsible for creating terror among locals and had been coercing innocent citizens to sympathise with anti-national elements,” it reads. 

 

Meanwhile, as per the statement, IGP Kashmir congratulated Srinagar Police & Valley QRT CRPF for carrying out the anti-terrorist operation in a professional manner without any collateral damage. 

 

IGP said that killed terrorists were planning to attack soft targets in Srinagar & timely action by Srinagar Police led to the elimination of both the terrorists. 

 

He also said the number of terrorists operating in Kashmir Valley has fallen as compared to last many years and we are intensifying the operations to make the valley terror free. 

 

He further said that J&K police is trying hard to bring the misguided youth who have joined terrorist ranks back to their normal life with the help of their family members & respectable citizens. 

 

On yesterday’s petrol bomb attack by a burqa-clad lady in Sopore, IGP said that they have identified the said lady and soon she will be arrested.

 

He reiterated his appeal to all misguided youth who have joined terror folds to shun the path of violence & return to mainstream and contribute in nation building. (KNS)