Srinagar, May 25: Three wanted foreign militants and a policeman were killed in a ‘chance’ in Baramulla district on Wednesday. According to the police, the trio was active for a long time in general areas of the north Kashmir district and were being “tracked.”
“Acting on generic information, regarding movement of (militants) in Kreeri area of Baramulla, multiple nakas were established at many places including near Shrakwara-Najibhat Crossing in Kreeri area by Police and Army’s 52 RR,” a senior police officer told GNS. As the naka party noticed the group of militants travelling in a silver colour Santro car, the officer said, the militants started firing indiscriminately upon the naka party which was retaliated effectively, leading to a “chance encounter”. In the fierce gunfight, he said, three foreign militants were killed along with a 32-year-old police personnel namely Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh (SPO), a resident of Uri.
The officer identified the militant as Jash-e-Mohammad’s Hanief Bhai, Ali Bhai and Shah Wali, all residents of “Pakistan”. “This group of (militants) was active since long time in general areas of district Baramulla and were being tracked,” the officer said. He said that all three militants belonged to ‘A’ category. He said that ‘incriminating’ materials including huge cache of arms and ammunition and IEDs have been recovered from the site of encounter. He said three AK-47 rifles along with 15 magazines, five chinese hand grenades, three IEDs , three Ammunition Pouches and Santro vehicle have been recovered.
Talking to media persons at wreath laying ceremony of SPO at District Police Line Baramulla, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar termed the killing of these militants as a “big success”.
“He congratulated the joint forces for their relentless work and great synergy/coordination on ground that led to elimination of 22 foreign (militants) during this year across the Valley,” he was quoted as saying in a police statement issued here to GNS. He said the JeM group was on their way to Srinagar for attacks. “The elimination of foreign (militants) is our top priority as they are responsible for luring the gullible youth to join (militant) folds.”
Referring to yesterday’s militant incident at Soura, IGP Kashmir said that the two local militants of LeT (TRF) were involved in the attack and have been identified as Adil resident of Ganderbal and a newly recruited militant Aquib of Chadoora Budgam. (GNS)