Encounter in B’la: Injured soldier succumbs, local militant arrested alive, hunt on to nab foreign militant, says Police

Baramulla: A soldier who had sustained critical injuries during Wednesday’s encounter in Wanseeran, Taripora forest area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district succumbed while as police said that a local militant has been apprehended alive and non-local militant is being pursued.
In an ongoing encounter at Kulgam district of southern Kashmir, a militant has been killed while as the operation was still on. Officials said that army man identified as Kulbushan Manta of Himachal Pradesh had sustained injuries in encounter that broke out between security forces and militant at Baramulla. “However since then he was under treatment at 92 base Srinagar hospital and breathed his last this evening,” they said.
Notably, yesterday afternoon the security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Wanseeran Taripora in the Sheeri area of Baramulla following information about the presence of militants. The search operation turned into an encounter after militants fired on the security forces who retaliated.
The police said that acting on specific information regarding the presence of militants in Wanseeran Taripora jungle area of PS Sheeri, District Baramulla, joint teams of Police, Army 52 RR, 46 RR and 53 Bn CRPF launched cordon and search operation in the area.
During search the militants taking refuge in the said area fired upon the search party, which was retaliated triggering off an encounter, police said, adding that in the ensuing encounter, one jawan of 52 RR got injured and was evacuated for medical treatment, who later on attained martyrdom.
“One militant of LeT namely Nisar Ahmad Bhat S/O Mohd Akbar Bhat R/O Shrakwara Kreeri, District Baramulla was apprehended alive.” police said, adding that another militant of LeT, Usman of Pakistan, who is wanted in various cases, is being pursued.
One modified AKS 74u, one magazine, 28 rounds among other incriminating materials have been recovered from the apprehended militant, the statement said.
In this regard, police said that a case under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Sheeri and investigation taken up. Meanwhile, ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said: “Foreign militant Usman Bhai who managed to escape from an encounter in which Yousuf Kantroo along with two more militants were killed in Malwah is still at large in Injured condition and search for him is going on.”
Police Version: A police spokesman in a statement issued on Thursday said that acting on a specific information regarding presence of militants in Wanseeran Taripora Jungle area in the jurisdiction of PS Sheeri in Baramulla, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and security forces in the area. “During the search operation, the hiding militants fired upon the joint search party which retaliated , leading to an encounter,” the statement said.
He said that during the initial exchange of fire, one Army Jawan of 52RR received gunshot injuries and was immediately evacuated to hospital for the treatment of his injuries.
“However, he later on succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom. Besides, one local militant of outfit LeT namely Nisar Ahmad Bhat son of Mohd Akbar Bhat resident of Shrakwara Kreeri, Baramulla was apprehended alive. While as, the other militant is a foreigner namely Usman of LeT who is being tracked down as the cordon area has been extended due to dense forest area,” the statement said, adding that arms and ammunition including 01 modified AKS-74U, 01 Magazine, 28 rounds among other incriminating materials have been recovered from the apprehended militant. “In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law stands registered in Police Station Sheeri and investigation taken up,” the statement said.
Army Version: Defence spokesman in Srinagar in a statement said that as the search commenced in the morning and while the search party was moving towards the jungle, the militant opened fire on the search party. “In the ensuing firefight, Rifleman Kulbushan Manta suffered a gunshot wound. He was immediately evacuated to GMC Baramulla by road and further evacuated by helicopter to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar. He suffered cardiac arrest at about 11.45 AM on 27 Oct 22 and could not be revived. The Braveheart was declared dead at 12.30 PM,” the statement said, adding that rifleman Kulbushan Manta epitomizes the values, traditions and ethos of the Indian Army. “The Brave Heart is survived by his wife, Smt Neetu Kumari. The mortal remains of the Braveheart will be sent for the last rites to his native place at Village Gaunth, Post Manjholi, Tehsil Kupvi, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and will be laid to rest with full Military Honours on 28 Oct 22,” the statement said.
Militant killed in Kulgam, Ops on: A militant was killed in a brief encounter in Kausarnag area of Kulgam district, police said. Kashmir zone police in a Tweet, said that encounter took place at Asthan Marg in Kausarnag area. Stating that one militant was killed in the encounter and search operation was still going on, Police in tweet said, Stating therein further that an encounter took place at Asthan Marg in general area of Kausarnag, Kulgam district in which one militant was killed. Search still going on. Further details shall follow,” police tweeted. A police spokesman said that an encounter took place at Asthan Marg in general area of Kausarnag, Kulgam district in which one militant got killed. “However, the operation is in progress and search in the area is still going on”