Srinagar, Dec 20: Three local militants of the Laskar–e-Toiba terror outfit were killed in an encounter with security forces in Munj Marg area of Shopian on Tuesday, police said.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Vijay Kumar termed the operation as a big success for security forces. He congratulated the joint team of Police and security forces for conducting a successful operation without any collateral damage.
“All the terrorist modules involved in civilian killings in the last three years have been neutralised and there is only one left which will be neutralised soon,” ADGP Kumar said.
A police spokesman said following specific information generated by Police regarding the presence of terrorists in Munj Marg area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (1RR), and CRPF (178Bn) in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the joint search party approached the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party that was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” he said.
As per the spokesman in the ensuing encounter, 03 local terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.
Police identified the slain as Mohd Lateef Lone resident of Check Kachidoora Shopian, Umer Nazir Bhat resident of Check Ban Dialgam Anantnag, and Danish Hussain Kakroo of Old Town Baramulla.
As per police records, slain terrorists were categorised terrorists and were involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police and security forces.
“Slain terrorist Latif Ahmad was involved in killing of a Kashmiri PanditPurana Krishna Bhat. While Umer Nazir was involved in several terror crime cases including killing of Till Bahadur Thapa of Nepal,” the police spokesman said.
Meanwhile, incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle, 02 Pistols, and 02 Grenades were recovered from the site of the encounter.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” he said.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and an investigation has been initiated.
“People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitised and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” the spokesman said.