• Slain terrorists were involved in multiple cases
• Foiled nefarious designs to target the ongoingAmarnathjiYatra
• Huge arms, ammunition recovered from encounter site
Srinagar, July 8: In a significant blow to the HizbulMujahideen terror outfit, six terrorists were killed in twin encounters in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on July 6 and 7.
According to Army officials, the encounters took place in Modergam and FrisalChinigam areas, resulting in the elimination of top leadership of the terror group.
Addressing a joint press conference at HQ 1 Sector RR in Khanabal, Brigadier AnirudhChauhan, Commander of 2 Sector RR, DIG South Kashmir Range JavidIqbal, and CO 9 RR stated that the operation was a major success and termed killing of these terrorists a big blow to the HizbulMujahideen terror outfit. “We credit the locals for providing information about the terrorists in Modergam,” he said.
The Army and police have been tracking the movement of the HizbulMujahideen terrorist group, which was active in the Kulgam-Shopian border area.
The encounters resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including war-like stores. Two Army personnel, Lance NaikPradeep Kumar and PravinJanjalPrabhaker, were martyred during the operations.
The successful operation has dealt a deadly blow to terror tanzeems in South Kashmir, denting their nefarious designs to target the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
“Success was achieved in the early morning of July 6 when we received information about terrorists hiding in a house. We surrounded the house, giving the terrorists no chance to escape. Two HizbulMujahideen terrorists, including top commander AdilHussainWani, were killed in the operation,” he said.
Briefing on the sequence of events, Commander Chauhan said that based on specific input from higher headquarters, corroborated by additional information regarding the presence of a group of terrorists in the general area of Chinigam, Frisal in South Kashmir.
It was followed by joint cordon and search operation was launched by the troops of the Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Police. It was launched during wee hours to nab the terrorists.
“However, no suspicious movement was observed during the initial search operation, and the operation was called off in the afternoon. After the de-induction of forces, a credible input about suspicious movement in the same area was received from a local source,” he said.
The officer said that a fresh cordon and search operation was immediately launched in the same general area, with the cordon being strengthened by troops operating in nearby areas.
“As the security forces approached the target area, the hiding terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on them. One Army personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire. The jawan was immediately evacuated from the operation site and later airlifted to 92 Base Hospital by an Army Aviation helicopter, where he succumbed to his injuries,” he added.
Chauhan, Commander of 2 Sector RR said that security forces retaliated with precision engagement and in the ensuing gunfight, four terrorists of proscribed HizbulMujahideen (HM) tanzeem were neutralized along with recovery of war like stores.
The slain terrorists have been identified as Yawar Ahmad Dar, S/o Basir Ahmad Dar, R/o RedwaniBala, Zahid Ah Dar S/o GhulamMohd Dar R/o ChakDasand, Tauheed Ah Rather, S/o Abdul Satar Rather, R/o Odura and Shakeel Ah Wani, R/o Khori, Batapura.
“A few of slain terrorists are suspected to be previously involved in prosecution of various terror activities in Kulgam and adjoining districts,” he said.
The officer also said that during executing the operation, security forces have been very deliberate and displayed extreme restrain to ensure minimum collateral damage.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and probe. In this regard police have registered a case under relevant section of law and investigation has commenced,” he added.
“After concluding the operation, we found and promptly destroyed an IED weighing approximately 6 kg, keeping collateral damage in mind,” he said.
The first encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Modergam village. Hours later, another encounter broke out in the FrisalChinnigam area of the district.
Regarding the Kulgam encounter, Javed Ahmad Matoo, DIG South Kashmir, said two joint operations were conducted from July 6 to 7, resulting in the killing of four terrorists.
“Adil, who had multiple FIRs against him in different police stations, was killed in one operation. The second encounter took place in the Chinigham area based on specific information, resulting in the killing of four terrorists.
Among them was Yavar Bashir Dar, a Category ‘A’ terrorist. The others were identified as Tauheed Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed Wani, and Zahir Ahmad Dar. A significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. Both locations had hideouts that the terrorists had been using for a considerable time,” Matoo said.
Two army men identified as Lance NaikPradeep Kumar of the elite para unit and PravinJanjalPrabhaker of the Rashtriya Rifles unit were killed during the two gunfights in Modergam and FrisalChinigam in Kulgam district.
LG Sinha visits family of deceased SSF personnel, pays homage
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited the family members of deceased Special Security Force (SSF) Personnel, SGCT. Kulbir Singh, at their residence in Budgam.
The Lt Governor paid homage to SGCT. Kulbir Singh, and recalled his selfless service to the nation. He extended his condolences to the family and assured all assistance and support from the government.
