Major success for forces in Kashmir Valley, 04 terrorists killed in twin encounters, 03 arrested alive

Aasif Suhaf /Srinagar

In Kashmir valley forces foiled two major attacks by killing four militants including a foreigner and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander during twin gun battles in South Kashmir while three hybrid militants of TRF were arrested from Srinagar city.

Additional Director General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that three militants were killed in an encounter at Khandipora area of Awantipora in Pulwama district.

He said that one among them is a foreigner while another is LeT commander Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat who was involved in several militant activities including killing of one Assistant Sub Inspector of CRPF and two RPF personnel.

ADGP said that killing of three LET terrorists is a big success for security forces. He said that Mukhtar along with foreign militant was going for a fidayeen attack on a security forces camp but were intercepted and neutralized midway. One militant was also killed in another gun battle at Semthan village of Bijbehara in Anantnag district.

He has been identified as Shakir Ahmad son of Habibullah, resident of Ladermud. As per police records, he was linked to Hizbul Mujahideen and was involved in several militancy cases including attacks on police and security forces and civilians.

In another successful operation three hybrid militants of LeT were arrested in Srinagar and 10 kgs Bucket IED and two hand grenades were recovered from their possession. Officials said that, during a Naka checking in Harnambal area of Srinagar, police arrested three hybrid militants namely Aamir Mushtaq Dar, son of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar of Iqbalabad Sozaith Budgam and Kabil Rashid, son of Abdul Rashid Dar of SICOP Mohalla HMT Srinagar. Two grenades were recovered from their possession. They disclosed the name of their another associate as Aqib Jamal Bhat, son of Mohammad Jamal Bhat of Sozaith Budgam who was also arrested and during initial examination he disclosed about an IED in his possession.

The IED of approximately 10kg has been recovered in Rangreth on his instance, by a joint team of Srinagar Police and 62 RR, police said, adding that a major attack was foiled with the recovery of 10 Kg’s bucket IED which was later destroyed through a controlled blast in Srinagar outskirts.