Srinagar: A Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) ‘commander’ was killed in an overnight encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, police said on Friday.
“The militant ‘commander’ of HM, Nisar Khanday, was killed. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, were recovered at the encounter site,” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
In a statement police spokesman said on a specific input regarding the presence of militants in Rishipora area of Anantnag, Police, Army (19RR) and CRPF launched a joint cordon & search operation in the said area.
As the joint team was establishing the cordon around the suspected area, the hiding militant started indiscriminate firing upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.”
“In the initial exchange of fire, 03 army personnel & a civilian got injured. All the injured were immediately airlifted to 92 Base Hospital Srinagar for treatment & are stated to be stable”, he said.
The spokesperson added, that in the ensuing encounter, the hiding militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter. He has been identified as Nisar Khanday (Commander of HM) and active since year 2018.
As per police records, the killed militant is a categorized militant and was part of the groups involved in several militant cases including attacks on Police and civilian killings.
It is pertinent to mention that the killed militant was earlier arrested in the year 2000 along with arms/ammunition and detained under PSA. Before joining militant ranks in year 2018, the killed militant was working as a militant associate of HM. He has been involved in several killings of civilians and security forces besides mastermind in the fresh recruitment of youth in militant ranks.
IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint teams for carrying out the operation in professional manner and neutralising the wanted militant commander. He also appreciated the valour and dedication of injured personnel and prayed for their speedy recovery.
“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle was recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” the police spokesman said.
“In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated”, he said.
