2 Militants Killed In Pre-dawn Srinagar Encounter

Srinagar- Two militants were killed in a pre-dawn encounter with government forces in Zakura area of this capital city, police said Saturday.

Acting on specific input about the presence of militants, a cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched by police in Rangpora area of Zakura in the wee hours of Saturday, a police spokesperson said. He said that the search team came under heavy fire from militants when they proceeded towards the suspected spot.

The search team, the police spokesperson said, retaliated effectively to the militants firing leading to an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, he said, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.

The police spokesperson identified them as Ikhlaq Ahmad Hajam of Frisal Kulgam and Adil Nisar Dar of Malangpora Pulwama, both linked with Lashkar-e-Taiba (TRF). As per police records, he said, Ikhlaq and Adil were active since June and August-2021, respectively.

He further said that both the killed militants were categorized terrorists and part of groups involved in among other cases, attack on Police/SF and civilian atrocities.

“Besides, they were also instrumental in motivating the gullible youth to join terror folds and reviving the OGW network,” he said.

Ikhlaq, the police spokesperson said, was the mastermind behind the recent killing of Head Constable Ali Mohammad at Hasanpora Anantnag last week, besides an IED blast on Qaimoh-Yaripora road on January 18 this year.

“Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 02 pistols and 05 hand grenades were recovered from the site of the encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation,” he said.

The police spokesperson quoted IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar congratulating police for carrying out the anti-militancy operation in professional manner without any collateral damage.

“In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at the encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” he added.