Srinagar, Mar, 10: Meanwhile, based on a specific input regarding presence of militants in village Naina Batpora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (55RR) and 182Bn CRPF in the said area. During the search operation as the presence of militants holed up in a separate structure nearby a local Mosque got ascertained they were given ample opportunities to surrender and repeated appeals were made to them, instead, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party leading to an encounter. Keeping in view the sanctity of Mosque, the joint team exercised maximum restraint to ensure no damage to it and two Army personnel sustained splinter injuries during the encounter. Both the injured were evacuated to hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.
In the ensuing encounter, 02 militants affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT were killed and their bodies were recovered from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Shahid Ahmed Khan son of Mohi-ud-din Khan resident of Batpora, Pulwama and Fayaz Sheikh son of Gh Rasool Sheikh resident of Shahpora, Ganderbal. As per police records both the killed terrorists were categorized militants and were wanted by law in many terror crime cases.
While interacting with journalists at encounter site at Hazratbal, IGP Kashmir termed the elimination of Pakistani terrorist in Srinagar a big success and congratulated the Srinagar Police for conducting successful operation without any collateral damage especially to the nearby historical religious place. Quoting today’s example of Pulwama and Srinagar encounters, IGP added that terrorists have changed their strategies to take shelter in Mosques and Shrines in order to hurt the religious sentiments and create law and order problems in the valley. However we will defeat all such nefarious designs.
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition were recovered from both the encounter sites. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.
Regarding the encounters, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at both the encounter sites is completely sanitized and cleared off all the explosive materials, if any.
Moreover, dead body of Army Jawan Sameer Ahmad Malla was found in Central Kashmir’s Budgam District after he went missing from his village Lokipora of Khag Budgam. During preliminary investigation it came to surface that no firearm injury was found on his body. Investigation in the case is going on vigorously and the circumstances leading to his death are being probed from all the angles.
Meanwhile, terrorists fired upon & injured a bank guard identified as Abdul Hameed Wani resident of Tahab Pulwama at Murran Chowk area of Pulwama and snatched his 12 bore rifle. He has been shifted to hospital for the treatment of his injuries. The condition of the injured is stated to be stable. The area has been cordoned off and search in the area is in progress. A case has been registered and investigation is in progress.
