Srinagar: Two militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Thursday, police said.
The slain militants were identified as Amir Bashir Dar, resident of Kujjar Frisal and Adil Yousuf Shan, resident of Sursano Hatipora, Kulgam.
The encounter broke out on Wednesday night after J&K Police, 1 Rashtriya Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force cordoned Redwani, following specific inputs of presence of militants. First the joint parties fired some warning shots but there was no retaliation. Later, as soon joint parties advanced, the hiding militants opened fire, police said. “Encounter has started at Redwani area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a Tweet soon after the encounter broke out.
After several hours, police said both the militants were killed. “2 unidentified terrorists killed. Search going on. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” police said in another Tweet. Police said that hiding militants were given a chance to surrender, but they denied.
“Acting on a specific input regarding the presence of terrorists in village Redwani area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 1st RR and 18Bn CRPF in the said area,” police said. “During the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained, they were given repeated opportunities to surrender; however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” police said in a statement.
“In the ensuing encounter, 2 terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF) were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Amir Bashir Dar resident of Kujjar Frisal and Adil Yousuf Shan resident of Sursano Hatipora, Kulgam,” police said
As per police records, police said: “Both the killed terrorists were categorised terrorists and linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF). They were also part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities,” police said adding that incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 2 pistols, 2 magazines, 7 pistol rounds and 1 grenade were recovered from their possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.
“Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” police said. “IGP Kashmir appreciated role of role of police and security forces for evacuation of civilians trapped inside cordon and conducting successful operation without any collateral specially in the night situation.”