Baramulla: Chief of Al-Badr militant group was killed in an encounter with security forces in Tujjar Sharief area of Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Sherpora in Tujjar area of Sopore following information about presence of militants there, a police official said.
He said while the searches were going on, hiding militant/militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated, triggering an encounter.
One militant was killed in the ensuing encounter, he said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar identified the killed militant as Al-Badr chief Gani Khawaja.
“We have killed Al-Badr chief Gani Khawja in the encounter at Tujjar, Sopore,” IGP Kashmir said.
He said that the killing of Al-Badr chief is a big success for the security forces.
Abdul Gani Khawaja son of Mukhtar Ahmad Khawaja of Kralgund Kupwara was killed in a gunfight that broke out on Tuesday evening in Tujjer village of Sopore, IGP said.
He, however, said that the operation in the area was still on.
“Killing of Gani is indeed major success for security forces. This operation was carried cleanly on a very specific input which was received by police today,” IGP said.
