Srinagar: Three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants, including a Pakistani national, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, police said.
Giving details of the encounter, police spokesman in a statement said that “acting on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in village Chandgam area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 55RR and 182Bn CRPF in the said area.”
During the search operation, as the joint search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, “the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” spokesman said.
He said in the ensuing encounter, “three terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. Among the killed terrorists two have been identified as Mir Owais, resident of Ashmander Pulwama, and a Pakistani national Talha Yasir linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM.” About the third killed militant, spokesman said although the recoveries made from the site of encounter indicate him to be a foreigner, however his identification is being ascertained.
As per police records, “all the killed terrorists were part of group involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities. Several terror crime cases were registered against both the killed identified terrorists,” spokesman said.
He said Owais “was involved in killing of a civilian namely Azad Ahmad Dar of Kangan Pulwama. The killed Pakistani terrorist Talha was mastermind in preparation of vehicle-borne IEDs besides, involved in attack on civilian at Wanpora area of Pulwama.”
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including two M-4 carbines and one AK series rifle were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.
“IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint security forces for conducting successful operation without any collateral damage and also appreciated people of the area for their cooperation with the forces by maintaining calm and not resorting to any kind of violence during the course of operation,” the spokesman said.
He said police have registered case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated.
People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any, the spokesman said.
