Srinagar, Nov 1: Four terrorists including a Lasker-e-Taiba (LeT) commander were killed in twin encounters with security forces in Awantipora and Bijbehara areas of south Kashmir on Tuesday, police said.
Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Range Vijay Kumar said three terrorists were killed in Awantipora encounter and one in Bijbehara operation.
“Identification of the slain is being ascertained. As per our source, 1 is FT (foreign terrorist) and 1 local terrorist of LeT namely Mukhtiyar Bhat who was involved in several terror crimes including killing of one ASI of CRPF and 2 RPF personnel,” he said.
ADGP Kumar termed the killings of three terrorists a big success for security forces in Kashmir.
He said slain LeT Commander Mukhtar Bhat along with FT was going for Fidayeen attack on the security Forces camp.
An AK-74 rifle, 01 AK-56 rifle and 1 pistol were recovered from their possession.
ADGP Kumar congratulated the joint forces for successful operations and termed them as a big success for forces. He also said that Awantipora Police and Army averted a major terror incident.
Earlier, a police statement said on a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of terrorists in Khandipora area of Awantipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and Army (55RR) in the said area.
As the joint party approached towards the suspected spot the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately on the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter, the statement said.
In the second encounter at Semthan Bijbehara encounter, one terrorist has been killed during an anti-terror operation with security forces.
A police spokesman said police along with Army (3rd RR) launched a cordon and search operation at Semthan Bijbehara area of Anantnag following input regarding the presence of terrorist in the said area.
As the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated effectively by the joint party leading to the encounter.
The spokesman said in the ensuing encounter, one local terrorist identified as Shakir Ahmad son of Habibullah resident of Ladermud was killed.
As per Police records the killed terrorist was linked with proscribed terror outfit HM and was involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on police, security forces and civilian atrocities.
Regarding the incidents, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigations are in progress.
“People are requested to cooperate with Police till the areas at encounter sites are completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the spokesman said.
Earlier on Monday, a joint party of security forces on Monday killed a terrorist and foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jumagund area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Three hybrid terrorists held in Srinagar
10 kg IED recovered in Rangreth, later destroyed: Police
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday said it arrested three hybrid terrorists of Lasker-e-Taiba outfit in the Harnambal area of Srinagar city.
A police spokesman said, a checkpoint was established at Harnambal area of the city following information about the movement of ultras in the area.
“Two hybrid terrorists — Aamir Mushtaq Dar and Kabil Rashid — were arrested at the Naka. Two grenades were recovered from their possession,” the spokesman said.
He said the duo disclosed the identity of their third associate — Aqib Jamal Bhat — who was arrested from Sozaith in Budgam.
‘Hybrid’ militants are not listed as ultras but are radicalised enough to carry out a terror strike and then slip back into routine life.
During questioning, the arrested ultras revealed the location of an IED in Rangreth area of the city, the spokesman said.
“The IED, weighing around 10 kg, was recovered and destroyed,” he added.
A case has been registered under the relevant sections of UAPA, Explosives act and Arms Act in Police Station Chanapora, the spokesman said adding all three persons are affiliated with LeT.
