Srinagar, March 16: Three LeT (TRF) militants involved in the recent killing of a Sarpanch were shot dead by the police and security forces in a gunfight in the Nowgam area on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday, police said.
“Based on a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of terrorists in Nowgam area of Srinagar, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and 50RR in the said area,” said a police spokesman, in a statement.
“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 encounter.”
Three categorized militants were killed in the encounter and their bodies were retrieved from the gunfight site, said the spokesman. They have been identified as Adil Nabi Teli resident of Galchibal Chandhara, Pampore, Shakir Ahmad Tantray resident of Ronipora Shopian and Yasir Ahmad Wagay resident of Kujer Frisal, Kulgam.
“As per police records, the killed terrorists were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF) and active since year 2021. They were part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attack on Police/SF and civilian atrocities. While interacting with ANI, IGP Kashmir said that all the three killed terrorists were involved in the recent killing of Sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat at Khanmoh Srinagar. Besides they were planning to attack on security forces on the NHW,” said the spokesman.
He said Adil Teli along with his associates was also involved in killing of Inspector Pervaiz Ahmad Dar at Menganwari Nowgam on 22/06/2021, killing of Javaid Ahmed Malik at Lurgam Tral. Besides, he was also involved in grenade attack on joint party of Police & CRPF at Barbarshah Srinagar in which one civilian was killed and three civilians were injured, he added.
“Similarly, terrorists Shakir Ahmad & Yasir Ahmad were also involved in several terror crime cases including killing of ASI Mohammad Ashraf near PS Bijbehara, Anantnag on 22/12/2021.”
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK rifle, 03 AK Magazines, 14 AK rounds, 02 Pistols, 04 Pistol Magazines, 06 Pistol rounds were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, said the spokesman.
“IGP Kashmir termed the elimination of wanted terrorists as a big success and congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-terrorist operation without any collateral damage,” he added further.