Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar on Friday said that the Kulgam and Anantnag encounters were “important” as the terrorists involved in the killing of school teacher Rajni Bala and a female sarpanch were killed in the operations.
Four terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen were gunned down in Kokernag and Kulgam areas of south Kashmir.
“Bodies of both the killed terrorists were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Junaid Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat resident of Hangalgund Kokernag and Basit Ashraf Wani son of Ashraf Ahmad Wani resident of Danwethpora Kokernag, both linked with proscribed terror outfit HM,” a police statement said.
“As per police records, both the terrorists were categorized terrorists and involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities. Pertinently, the killed terrorist Basit Ashraf was active since Year-2021 and was involved in several terror crime cases including killing of Sarpanch of Redwani Kulgam Gh Rasool Dar and his wife Jawahira at Mehman Mohalla Anantnag on 09/08/2021,” the statement said.
“Moreover, the killed terrorist Junaid Ahmad was A categorized terrorist and active since Year-2018. He had also a long history of terror crime cases including attack on NC leader Syed Tauqeer Ahmad at Hiller Anantnag on 14/07/2019 in which one police personnel SgCt Reyaz Ahmad attained martyrdom and two other police personnel got injured. Besides, he was also involved in killing of police personnel SgCt Manzoor Ahmad on 19/04/2020 at Bahi Kokernag. Besides, both the killed terrorists were also involved in recruiting innocent/gullible youth into terror folds in District Anantnag and its adjoining areas,” it said.
“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” it said.
“In this regard, Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any,” the statement said.
“Pertinent to mention here that two terrorists were killed in an anti-terrorist operation in Mishipora area of Kulgam yesterday, taking the toll of killed terrorists to 4 in the last 24 hours in twin encounters in South Kashmir. However, the operation in Kulgam is still going on and further details if any shall be communicated accordingly,” it added.
Moreover, Awantipora Police alongwith Army (42 RR) and CRPF (180Bn) acting on specific input, launched a cordon and search operation in general area of Nowdal, Tral. During search, some IED material, RPG (grenade) and other incriminating materials were recovered. In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Tral and investigation set into motion.