Srinagar, Feb 2 (GNS): A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant was killed in a gunfight with joint team of police, army and CRPF in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.
“Based on a specific input generated by Shopian Police regarding presence of (militants) in village Nadigam area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army and 178Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement to GNS.
During the search operation, he said, as the joint search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding militant fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, one militant was killed, he said. He has been identified as Umar Ishfaq Malik alias Musa son of Abdul Ahad Malik of Bongam Shopian linked with Hizb.
“As per police records the killed (militant) was a categorized (militat) and was active since 2020. He was involved in several cases including attacks on security forces including recent attack on ASI Shabir Ahmad at Amishijipora Shopian while he was returning back from nearby mosque after offering prayers.”
The spokesman said that Musa was also instrumental in motivating the youth to join militant folds. “Besides, he was also providing logistic and other support to the active (militants) in the area before joining the militant ranks.”
He said incriminating materials, arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.”
In this regard, he said, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. (GNS)
