Srinagar, oct 10 (KB): Yesterday evening, acting on specific information generated by police regarding the presence of militants in village Tangpawa area of Anantnag, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (19RR) and CRPF (164Bn) in the said area.
During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
Police spokesperson as per Kashmir Bulletin–(KB), said that in the ensuing encounter, 02 local militants linked with proscribed outfit LeT were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.
“As per police, they have been identified as Aasif Ahmad Reshi son of Mohd Yaseen Reshi resident of Sheikhpora Marhama Bijbehara and Wakeel Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Ahad Bhat resident of Naibasti Marhama.”
“As per police records, both the killed militants were categorized militants and involved in several militants crime cases including attacks on police and security forces & civilian atrocities,” reads the assertion.
“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation is in progress. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” it reads.
Meanwhile, a defence statement, issued to KB, reads that movement of these two dreaded militants, infamous for their nefarious activities against the common citizens was being continuously tracked for the past few months.
“The Joint ops was launched in the wee hours of 10 October 22. While the parties were approaching the target area, the militants sensing being exposed, attempted to break the cordon and opened indiscriminate automatic fire while lobbying grenades, resulting in injury to one brave soldier. Despite being injured, the soldier brought down accurate fire, thereby injuring a militant,” reads the assertion.
“The militant took forceful refuge in a house of a local citizen. Sensing the danger to the lives of innocent villagers in the area, the Army troops held their fire and started evacuating civilians from the target area. However, known for their malicious intent and lack of compassion for the local population, the militants opened automatic fire on the civilians being evacuated. An Army jawan sprung into action to save the precious lives, in turn getting hit by the volley of fire. Nevertheless he with his team managed to ensure complete safety of civilians,” it reads.
“Continuous surveillance of target house, readjustment of cordon and intermittent exchange of fire throughout the night confirmed presence of two militants in the house. During the period, it was spotted by own technical assets that one of the militant was injured. At that time, a brave fighter “Zoom”, an Army assault canine was sent into the target house to retrieve the weapon from militant and pull them out of hiding.”
“Subsequent search of the area yielded in recovery of warlike stores including two AK series weapons and one pistol. The detailed search is in progress to clear the area of any unexploded munition,” reads the assertion. (Kashmir Bulletin–KB)
