BLOODY FRIDAY: 3 militants, 3 cops killed in separate incidents across Kashmir

Shopian/Srinagar, February 19, 2021: Three Al-Badr militants and three cops were killed while as another police sustained injuries in separate incidents across Kashmir on Friday.

Three local Al-Badr militants were killed in an overnight gunfight at Imam Sahib area of Shopian district, two cops were killed in a militant strike in Baghat area of Barzulla and the third policemen was killed in an initial exchange of firing during a gunfight at Beerwah area of Budgam where another cop sustained injury.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that on Thursday evening, a joint team of Police, Army’s 44 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

Addressing a presser at Police Control Room Srinagar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that the militants had taken house owner, his wife and a girl as “hostages.” “We rescued the civilians and made several offers to the militants to surrender, but they refused. At 5:30 am, final assault was launched after which three militants were killed,” he said. “All three slain militants are locals and were affiliated with Al-Badr outfit.”

The slain militants have been identified as Suhail Sheikh alias Azeem son of Abdul Ghani Sheikh resident of Turkwangam, Shahid Ahmad Dar alias alias Furkan son of Bashir Ahmad Dar resident of Samboora, Awantipora and Muddasir Ahmad Wagay son of Fayaz Ahmad Wagay resident of Chak Sangren, affiliated with proscribed militant outfit Al-Badr.

The bodies of all the three killed militants were retrieved from the site of encounter. Arms and ammunition including two AK rifles, five AK magazines, 96 AK rounds, 01 pistol, 01 pistol magazine, five pistol rounds and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter. Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, internet services have been snapped in Shopian district.

Cop killed, another injured in Budgam Gunfight: A police official said that police, army’s 53 RR and 79 bn CRPF launched a joint cordon and search operation in village Zanigam, Beerwah, in Central Kashmir’s Budgam early morning Friday.

“During the search operation, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately at the forces in which two J&K Police personnel namely Muhammad Altaf 1444/SPO and constable Manzoor Ahmed of 761/AP of 13th ban received bullet injuries,” a police official said. “However, one of the injured Muhammad Altaf succumbed to his injuries while Manzoor is being treated at the hospital.”

Talking to reporters at PCR, the IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that militant commander Yosuf Kantroo and a foreigner managed to flee from the encounter site. “It is very difficult stage when cordon is being laid and exchange of fire takes place. The house owner told us that one of the two militants sustained bullet wounds in his shoulder or leg. We followed the blood stains and where blood trail ended—around two kilometers from the site of gunfight, cordon was again laid and searches launched,” the IGP Kashmir said.

Two cops killed in Srinagar attack: Two policemen were killed when militants fired at the two cops who were busying essentials at a shop at Baghat area of Barzulla in Srinagar on Friday afternoon. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of wreath laying ceremony at District Police Lines Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir said:  that two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including a local carried out the attack in which two policemen were killed at Baghat area of Barzulla in Srinagar on Friday and that both attackers have been identified.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony of two slain cops at DPL Srinagar, the IGP said that two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants including—a foreigner and a local militant, who has been identified as Saqib, carried out the Baghat attack. “The two policemen were on a routine duty and were at a shop to buy something. They were fired from the back. They were totally unarmed,” IGP Kumar said as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that both the attackers will be tracked down soon. “Doctors at the hospital tried their best to save the two injured cops but couldn’t,” the IGP said adding that the incident will help the cops to work with more dedication and take extra precautions. “We will go for a security review and plug the loopholes. Had the policemen with weapons, perhaps they would have retaliated,” the IGP said.

Asked if a civilian has been detained at Baghat area, the Kashmir police chief said that nobody has been detained or arrested. “May be someone has been detained for routine questioning,” he said and paid rich tributes to the slain cops Suhail Ahmed and Muhammad Yousuf, residents of Ashmuqam, Anantnag and Zurhama, Kupwara—(KNO)