| Shopian encounter: LeT militant killed, another surrenders | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 25: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was killed by security forces in an encounter during which another ultra surrendered in south Kashmir district of Shopian on Friday.
Meanwhile Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar congratulated security forces for persuading the militant to surrender during an ongoing encounter.
A police spokesperson said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF at Hanjipora area in Shopian on Friday evening.
However, he said when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons. “The militants were given many opportunities to surrender. But, they denied the surrender appeal and fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” he said.
He said the exchange of fire a militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of the encounter.
He said the family members of the other trapped militant were called on the encounter site to again persuade their son to surrender. “It was due to the great efforts and utmost patience of Police, security forces and repeated surrender appeals, the trapped militant surrendered,” he said, adding the ultra has been identified as Sahil Ramzan Dar.
He said as per police records, Dar, who was associated with LeT, was active since March 2021.
“The killed militant has been identified as Murtaza, who was also associated with LeT,” he said.
He said as per Police records, Murtaza was also involved in several militancy related cases, including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities. “Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including an AK-56 rifle, one Pistol, three AK-Magazines, two Grenades were recovered from the encounter site,” he said.
Kumar congratulated the joint team of Police and SFs for showing utmost patience and exhibiting professionalism by persuading an active militant to surrender during live encounter.
He once again reiterates his appeal to all misguided youth who have joined militant folds to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream. He also said that Police is committed to accept them with open arms as society needs them the most especially their parents.
“Police has 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 spokesperson said. |
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