Srinagar, Feb 02: A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant was killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday, police said.
A police spokesman said that a militant was killed in the gunfight that broke out in Nadigam village.
#ShopianEncounterUpdate: 01 #terrorist killed. #Operation going on. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/jtAtOPyQl7
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) February 2, 2022
A police official said that the gunfight broke out after the police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Nadigam village.
As the forces approached a suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire which was retaliated, leading to an encounter, he said.
“In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Umar Ishfaq Malik @Musa son of Ab Ahad Malik resident of Bongam Shopian linked with proscribed terror outfit HM,” said a police spokesman, in a statement.
As per police records, the slain was a categorized terrorist and was active since 2020 he said.
“He was involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities including recent attack on ASI Shabir Ahmad at Amishijipora Shopian while he was returning home from nearby mosque after offering prayers.”
“He was also instrumental in motivating the gullible youth to join terror folds and other criminal activities. Besides, he was also providing logistic and other support to the active terrorists in the area before joining the terror ranks.
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.”