Srinagar, Aug 28 (GNS): Policeman-turned Al Badr district commander was among four militants killed in a gunfight with a joint team of Police and Army in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Friday. One cadre of the outfit was caught alive during the encounter which ensued after Police, Army’s 44RR and 178 battalion CRPF launched a joint cordon-and-search-operation amid “specific input” regarding presence of militants in Kiloora area of Shopian, a police spokesperson said.
“During the search operation as the presence of (militants) got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender. However they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter,” he said.
In the ensuing encounter, he said, four militants were killed and their bodies retrieved.
The slain have been identified as Shakoor Parray, Al Badr District commander, Suhail Bhat, Zubair Nengroo and Shakir-ul-Jabbar.
“During the encounter Police and security forces while exhibiting extreme professionalism also arrested one active militant identified as Shoiab Ahmad Bhat of Awantipora”.
Regarding Shakoor Parray, the spokesperson said that he was engaged as SPO in year 2014 in District Police Kulgam. “On operational grounds he was converted as Constable in Police Department and was adjusted in Police District Awantipora,” he said. Later on he was transferred from District Awantipora to District Anantnag, where he took away four rifles (weapons) from the other officials and joined the militant outfit.
“After joining the militant groups, he got active in the area and distributed the snatched weapons among his close associates,” the spokesperson said.
He was main handler of Al Badr and was involved in recruiting youth into militant ranks, he said. The spokesman said that he was involved in number of cases—FIR No 291/2012 U/S 148,149 ,307 436 A, 447,436 RPC of P/S Shopian, FIR No 21/2016 U/S 307 RPC 7/27 Arms Act of P/S Shopian, FIR No25/2016 U/S 364,307 RPC 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Shopian, FIR NO 08/2012 U/S 409,380,411 RPC 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Bijbehara and FIR NO 46/16 U/S 7/25 Arms Act of P/S Kulgam.
“All the killed militants had a long history of crime records. They were involved in planning and executing several militant attacks in the area including attacks on Police and security establishments,” the spokesperson said in a statement issued to GNS.
“Shakoor and Suhail Bhat were also involved in recent abduction and killing of Khanmoh’s Panch. They were also involved in abduction of T.A soldier namely Shakir Manzoor Wagay resident of Shopian who has been reportedly killed,” the spokesperson said.
Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the spokesperson said that the bodies of the militants shall be sent to Handwara for burial purposes after completion of all medico-legal formalities.
He said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Imam-Sahib and investigation has been initiated. (GNS)
