Hizb distt commander among 3 militants killed in Kulgam, Srinagar encounters

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar Friday said that in the past 24 hours three militants including a wanted Hizbul Mujahideen commander were killed in two separate encounters in Southern district of Kulgam and Central district of Srinagar. The IGP said that this year so far 133 militants including top commanders were killed.
“In the past 24, hours, three militants including a wanted commander of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in two separate gunfights in Kulgam and Srinagar,” the IGP Kashmir said in a statement on Friday, adding that this year so far 133 militants including top commanders were killed in various operations.
He said that acting on a specific inputs provided by Kulgam and Srinagar police regarding presence of militants in Kulgam and Srinagar, two anti-militancy operations were carried out in which three militants were neutralised which include district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen.
“In village Chancer Chawalgam area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the said area. 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. The joint teams ensuring safety of civilians rescued and shifted all the civilians to safer places. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter,” the IGP said. “In the initial exchange of fire, although one militant was killed, however due to darkness the operation remained suspended throughout the night. In the wee hours, repeated announcements were again made to the hiding militants to surrender, but the they fired on joint search party which was retaliated leading to the elimination of the hiding militant. The bodies of both the slain militants were retrieved from the site of encounter.”
The IGP said that have been identified as operational commander of Hizb Shiraz Ahmad alias Shiraz Molvi alias Abu Haris resident of Souch Kulgam , District Commander and Yawar Ahmad Bhat resident of Ponipora, Kulgam. He also said that as per police records both the slain militants were linked with Hizb.
The IGP said that as per police records, both the killed militants were part of groups involved in several crimes including attack on security forces and civilian atrocities. Pertinently, the slain militant Shiraz Molvi was an A++ categorized militant and was active since year 2016 figuring among the list of most wanted militants, he said. He also said that the slain militant was also involved in recruiting innocent youth into militant ranks and in spreading a reign of terror by killing civilians as well as political workers in Devsar and Brazloo areas of Kulgam. There are 15 FIRs registered against him for several crimes. The IGP said that moreover, acting on specific input about possible militant attack and movement of militants in Bemina area, a joint checkpoint was established to thwart such evil designs. “In the meantime, militants attacked on a checkpoint established near Bund Bemina which was retaliated leading to an encounter. The further reinforcement was rushed to the spot, 2RR and Valley QRT CRPF also joined the operation,” he said, adding that “In the ensuing encounter, one militant of outfit Mujahideen Gazwatul Hind was eliminated and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Amir Riyaz resident of Khrew Pampore.”
It is pertinent to mention that the killed militant is relative of one of the accused militant of Lethpora attack and preliminary investigation indicated that he was assigned to carry out similar kind of fidayeen attack. “Digital Evidences recovered from his mobile show that he was prepared by outfit for fidayeen attack.
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-rifle & a Pistol from Kulgam encounter site and 01 AK-rifle from Bemina encounter site were also recovered,” the IGP added