Srinagar, Oct 16 (GNS): Two Lashker-e-Toiba militants, one of the figuring in police’s top 10 wanted list, were killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in Pampore area of Pulwama district on Saturday, officials said.
“During the intervening night of 15/16 October, based on specific input generated by Awantipora Police regarding presence of (militants) in Drangbal area of Pampore, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, (army’s) 50RR and 110 (battalion) CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement to GNS.
“During the search operation, as the presence of (militants) got ascertained, they were given opportunity to surrender. Instead they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.”
In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter—a concrete building. They have been identified as Umer Mushtaq Khandey and Shahid Khurshid, he said.
“As per police records, both (of them) were collaborators in recent killings in City Srinagar and involved in several other (cases). Besides, Umer Mushtaq was also involved in the killing of SgCt Mohammad Yousuf and Ct Suhail Ahmad in Baghat area of Srinagar and figured among the list of top 10 most wanted (militants),” he said.
The police spokesman said incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site of encounter.
“IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint teams working with great synergy and coordination on the ground for carrying out successful anti-(militancy) operations in professional manner without any collateral damage,” the spokesman said, adding, “IGP Kashmir said that, post recent civilian killings in City Srinagar Shahid Khurshid along with Shahid Bashir shifted to district Pulwama while as their other associate Mukhtar Shah shifted to district Shopian and all the three (of them) stands eliminated.”
He also said that Police is committed to “hunt down” all the militants who try to create fear among masses and spread mischief and tumult in the valley. “Such elements & their names should be excised from society. He also said that, post recent civilian killings, so far 13 (militants) have been eliminated in 9 different anti-(militancy) operations including 3 out of 5 (militants) of Srinagar City who were killed within less than 24 hours. He also said that, as of now only two militants of Srinagar City namely Mehran and Wasim are active and all efforts are on to nab them.” (GNS)