Srinagar: A self-styled commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit was killed in an encounter in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Saturday, police said.
The slain militant was identified as Nisar Ahmad Dar alias Musaib, son of Ghulam Hassan Dar, resident of Redwani Bala, Kulgam, a police spokesman said.
“Acting on specific information regarding the presence of the terrorist in village Sirhama, security forces had launched a cordon and search operation there,” he said.
“As the search party approached his hideout, the terrorist fired indiscriminately at the security personnel who retaliated. In the ensuing encounter, the hiding terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter,” the spokesman said.
According to police records, the spokesman said Dar was a “categorized terrorist” and active since April 2021.
“He was involved in several killings of civilians and outside labourers. Besides, he was also involved in grenade attacks on security forces. For his terrorist activities, many FIRs were already registered against him. He was also instrumental in motivating gullible youth to join terrorist ranks, thereby attempting to revive terrorism,” the police spokesman said.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition have been recovered from the site of the encounter,” the spokesman said.
“Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law regarding the encounter and further investigation is in progress. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the spokesman said.
He also said that Inspector General of Police (IGP) (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar appreciated the joint team of security forces and termed the killing of Dar as a big success as he was wanted by law for his involvement in “terror” activities.
Meanwhile, militants managed to give slip to forces after a brief exchange of fire in Chaki Samad area of DH Pora in Kulgam district.
Quoting officials, news agency KNO reported that a joint team of police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in the area on Saturday morning.
They said that as the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight.
According to the news agency, during the initial exchange of fire two soldiers namely Rohit Yadav and Ankesh Kumar were injured and were shifted to hospital for treatment. However, after the initial exchange of fire, no contact was established with the militants.
Even as cordon layers were tightened after initial exchange of fire, however, no contact was established with the militants following which the operation was called off, the news agency reported.
2 militant associates held in Budgam
Two militant associates of Lashkar-e-Taiba were arrested in Budgam district of central Kashmir on Saturday, police said.
The duo was arrested from the orchard area of Rathsun in Beerwah, they said.
They have been identified as Wajid Yousuf Akhoon, son of Mohammad Yousuf Akhoon of Rathsun Beerwah and Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh, son of Wali Mohammad Sheikh of Kawoosa Khalisa.
“Incriminating material of the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), arms and ammunition, including a Chinese pistol, two pistol magazines, and 12 pistol rounds have been seized from their possession,” police said.
A case (FIR no. 35/2022) has been registered and investigation is on, they added.
