Hizb Commander, Soldier Killed In Pulwama Encounter

Militant Ambush Leaves Army Man Injured In Sopore

Srinagar: A top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen and an army man were killed while a soldier was injured on Wednesday in two separate gunfights in Pulwama and Baramulla districts of the Valley.

State forces launched a search operation in an orchard in Kamrazipora village of Pulwama in the early hours of the day on receiving information about the presence of militants there, they said.

The officials said the search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the personnel, injuring two soldiers.

The injured were rushed to army’s 92 Base hospital in Srinagar, where one of them succumbed to his injuries, they said.

In the gunfight, one militant was also killed, they added.

Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh identified the militant as Hizb Commander Azaad Lelhari of Pulwama

“Azaad Lelhari was involved in the killing of police head constable Anoop Singh on 22 May 2020 at Prichu Pulwama where he fired at a Naka party,” Singh said.

He said six FIRs were against him for militant related killings.

“Earlier he was detained under PSA as OGW and became active again,” the DGP said, adding that charge sheet had been filed against him in two cases earlier.

In a statement issued here, a police spokesperson said that keeping in view Covid-19 pandemic, the body of Hizb commander will be sent to Baramulla for his burial and last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities.

“The nearest family members of the killed militant were allowed to participate in the last rites at Baramulla,” the police spokesperson said.

He said a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Rajpora and investigation has been initiated.

“People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the police spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, a soldier was injured in a militant ambush in north Kashmir’s Sopore on Wednesday afternoon.

Offcial sources said that suspected militants attacked an army vehicle from an orchard near Hygam leaving a soldier of 15 Garwal injured.

The injured soldier was evacuated to hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.

Soon after the incident, the state forces cordoned off the area and launched a manhunt to nab the attackers.

Lashkar Militant Held In Hajin: Police

Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested a Lashkar-e- Taiba militant from Hajin area of Bandipora district.

Aquib Ahmad Rather alias Jana of Sahipora, Handwara was arrested from Hajin on the basis of a reliable information about the plans of attack by militants and through ground investigation by a joint team of SOG Handwara, SOG Bandipora and 13 RR, 32 RR and the personnel of 92 battalion CRPF, a police spokesperson said Wednesday.

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunitions were recovered from his possession,” the police spokesperson said.

He said that a case FIR No. 77/2020 U/S 7/25 I. A. Act, 13 18, 20 ULA (P) Act has been registered in Police Station Kralgund and further investigations taken up.

SOG Conducts Searches In City Centre

Government forces on Wednesday carried out a search operation in Abi Guzar area of the City Centre.

A posse of Special Operation Group (SOG) of police personnel appeared on Abi Guzar bund and started searches of house boats on the stretch from footbridge to Abi Guzar, reports said. The location where searches were conducted houses the office of Jammu Kashmir Apni Party headed by Syed Altaf Bukhari.

Quoting eyewitnesses, news agency KNT reported that the SOG personnel thoroughly conducted searches during which identity cards of those residing in houseboats were checked.

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