Al-Badr operative killed in Budgam encounter; escaped militant arrested
Policeman killed, 2 others injured in Kulgam attack
Srinagar: A militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Saturday, while another escaped cordon but was arrested in south Kashmir’s Pulwama, police said.
Giving details, a police spokesman said that on a specific information generated by police about “presence of terrorists” in Mochwa Chadoora area of Budgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by police along with the troops of 50RR and 181Bn CRPF there.
During the search operation “as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender, however, instead of surrendering they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.”
In the ensuing encounter, “one terrorist of proscribed terror outfit Al-Badr was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter,” police said while identifying the slain as Shakir Bashir Dar, son of Bashir Ahmad Dar, resident of Goripora, Awantipora.
As per police records, the Shakir Bashir Dar was part of groups involved in various cases and several “terror crime cases were registered against him”.
Police also said that Shakir Bashir “was earlier working as a terrorist associate with proscribed terror outfit LeT and joined terror folds of proscribed Al-Badr outfit recently.”
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one AK-rifle with two magazines, 32 rounds, one Chinese pistol with two magazines and 16 rounds, one bagpack and one pouch were recovered from the site of encounter.
Police also said that as the operation was in progress, “it was learnt that while laying cordon another terrorist had managed to escape from the encounter site” and the information was shared with Awantipora Police, which while developing the lead further launched a cordon and search operation in Mantaqi Colony Khrew area along with 50RR and 185Bn CRPF.
During search, the “escaped terrorist” was tracked down and arrested while hiding in a truck (JK13-2397).
He has been identified as Shabir Ahmad, Najar resident of Wuyan Khrew linked with proscribed LeT outfit. The driver of the truck identified as Mohammad Shafi Dar, resident of Gratwani Mohalla Khrew has also been arrested and the truck seized.
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine, seven pistol rounds, two AK magazines, 50 AK-rounds, one Chinese grenade, 5Kgs IED (destroyed on spot) were also recovered from the site, police said.
IGP Kashmir has congratulated joint teams of security forces for the “showing the coordination in conducting successful operation in professional manner without any collateral damage and tracking down the escaped terrorist. Besides, IGP Kashmir appeals to parents of newly recruited terrorists to bring their children back to mainstream,” police spokesman said in a statement.
It said police have registered cases under relevant sections of law and further investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, a policeman was killed and two others injured Saturday in a militant attack on a police party in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, officials said.
Giving details, a police spokesman said that at about 1920 hours today evening, “terrorists fired indiscriminately upon a police party” at Poshwan area of DH Pora in district Kulgam. A policeman was killed and two other personnel were injured in the firing, the spokesman said.
He said preliminary investigation reveals that “a group of terrorists fired upon a police party headed by SHO PS DH Pora who were busy in managing the traffic at Adijan crossing while on their way back after providing safe passage to Abdul Majid Padar (PP) upto his residence. In this terror incident, three police personnel sustained gunshot injuries and were evacuated to hospital for medical treatment.”
However, Constable Nisar Ahmad (Belt no. 652/IR 17th) succumbed to his injuries, the spokesman said while paying tributes to fallen colleague.
About the injured cops, the spokesman said both the injured personnel are stable and have been discharged from hospital after medical treatment.
He said “taking undue advantage of huge traffic jam and presence of large number of civilians, the terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the SHO and his escort party and managed to escape from the spot. However, to avoid collateral damage in view of huge rush, the police party exercised maximum restraint.”
He said police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated.
Today’s attack came a day before Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha’s proposed visit to Kulgam.
In a tweet, the LG wrote: “I strongly condemn the cowardly attack on the security force in Kulgam in which our brave police jawan, Nisar Ah Wagay attained martyrdom. Militants will never succeed in their nefarious designs, those responsible for such heinous acts shall be brought to justice. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr in this time of grief.”
J&K People’s Party also condemned the attack.
“We condemn the militant attack on police party in Kulgam in strongest terms and without reservation. This is a senseless and unjustifiable act of violence. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of Nisar Wagat who lost his life and thos who were injured in this attack,” the party tweeted.
