Srinagar, Jan 05: Twelve militants including five foreigners who were affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit were killed in four separate encounters in Kashmir in the last eight days.
As per the data available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 12 militants which include five non- local militants were killed in four separate encounters in Kashmir.
On 29 December, three militants namely Shahid Alias Shahzaid resident of Pakistan, Muhammad Shafi Dar of Tral and Uzair Ahmad of Mirhama Kulgam were killed in Mirhama area of Kulgam district.
On 30 December, three militants namely Sultan alias Mavia a foreigner, Nisar Ahmad Khanday of Dudwangan Kapran and Altaf Ahmad Shah a resident of Nathipora Dooru were killed in an encounter in Nowgam area of Verinag in Anantnag.
However, police later said that the picture of one of the killed militants in Anantnag encounter matches with JeM top commander Samir Dar, who was the last surviving militant involved in Lethpora attack.
On December 31, three militants including two non-locals and one local Suhail Ahmad Rather were killed in an encounter in Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar district.
On 05 January, three militants including two non-locals and one local Owais Ahmad of Ashmander Pulwama were killed in an encounter in Chandgam Pulwama.
Besides recovering other arms and ammunition, four M-4 rifles were recovered in these encounters that include two in Pulwama, one each in Kulgam and Anantnag.
Meanwhile top officials told KNO that around 80 non-local militants are active in Kashmir and most of them are affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Pertinently, on 30 December during a press conference in Qazigund area, General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Army’s 15 corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey had said that foreign militants are coming out of hide-outs to carry out operations as local militants are refusing to attack forces due to their own challenges.
Pandey said that as foreigners would come out of their hide-outs, “they would be killed”—(KNO)
