S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
BARAMULLA, Dec 24: A top commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was among two militants killed in a gunfight in Wanigam Payeen area, while a grenade was hurled by militants in Watergam of this North Kashmir district today.
A top police official said that on specific intelligence about the presence of militants, a cordon and search operation (CASO) was launched in Wanigam Payeen near Kreeri, today early this morning. A joint team of Police, Army and CRPF cordoned off and launched an anti militancy operation in the village following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
“Earlier the cordon was put on standoff mode for some hours, but we had got strong inputs about the presence of militants in the same area, while some speculative fire was also shot towards the suspected spot, after which there was no response from the other end for quite some time,” the official told Early Times.
He also said, “As the forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the militants fired at the security forces that were retaliating, triggering an encounter”. However sources said that Wanigam Payeen and Bala have remained peaceful throughout these years, it is just one and half kilometer away from Hyderbiegh Pattan that is a highly military zone in the district.
Here police officials further said that two militants of Jasih-e Mohammad (JeM) outfit were killed in an encounter, whose identification was not ascertained immediately by the officials and the operation was still underway till the last reports came in.
As per the sources slain militants have been identified as Abrar alias Langoo from Pakistan and Amir Siraj from Sopore.
Famous footballer, Amir Siraj from Adipora Sopore who was missing since July this year was killed during encounter with government forces in Wanigam Kreeri,
The killed militant was missing since July 2 this year and had joined Jaish-e-Muhammad militant outfit, while reports said that Amir had gone missing on 24th June this year and was said to be an ace footballer.
It is also learnt from sources that 1 AK 47, 1 pistol, and three green pouches have been received from the slain militants. Meanwhile a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) trooper was injured after militants hurled a grenade in Watergam of Rafiabad area on Thursday evening.
Sources said that suspected militants lobbed a grenade towards SSB in Watergam. In which one SSB personnel received minor injuries and was shifted to nearby hospital for treatment. Soon after the grenade attack, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation to nab the attackers, sources informed. |
