4 Hizb militants behind recent civilian killings eliminated in Kulgam gunfight

SRINAGAR: Four militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist outfit who were responsible for three civilian killings in Kulgam and Anantnag districts earlier this week, were killed on Saturday in an encounter with security forces, the first gun battle in the union territory since the nationwide lockdown came in to force on March 25 to control the spread of coronavirus.
The security forces on Saturday morning launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Hardmand Guri village in Kulgam.
“A joint search operation was launched by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF in Hardmand Guri village in Kulgam on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday,” a police spokesperson said.
During cordon and search operation, hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.
“In the ensuing encounter, four militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter,” he said.
The slain ultras were identified as Shahid Sadiq Malik resident of Khull DH Pora Kulgam, Mohd Ashraf Malik alias Sadam resident of Arwani district Anantnag, Waqar Farooq Itoo resident of Hanan Chawalgam DH Pora, and Aijaz Ahmad Malik resident of Chimmer DH Pora.
Weapons and war-like stores were seized from the scene of the encounter.
“Incriminating materials, arms and ammunitions including 1 AK-47, 1 SLR, 1 Insas Rifle and 1 Pistol were recovered from their possession,” he said.
While reports said that three soldiers were also injured in the gunfight, the police didn’t confirm it.
As per police records, the killed ultras were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit HM and involved in several terror crime cases including civilian atrocities.
Recently, while Police and Security Forces were busy in assisting the administration in combating Coronavirus, these slain terrorists had resorted to killing innocent civilians.
“On April 1, they killed two innocent civilians namely Hassan Rakha and Sheraj-Uddin Gossi residents of Nandimarg DH Pora Kulgam followed by killing another civilian namely Mohd Showkat Dar resident of Fatehpora Anantnag the very next day,” a police official said.
Meanwhile, on the fourth day of searches on Saturday, security forces established contact with militants, leading to a gunfight at Rangdori Behak area along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Reports said that the army’s 8 JAT carried out searches in the forest area of “Guguldara Teen Behak” in Jumgund and adjacent areas to trace a group of militants who was believed to have sneaked into this side after engaging soldiers in a gunfight which continued sporadically at least twice on Wednesday.
According to reports, choppers were also seen hovering over the forest area to track down the militants. “A fresh contact was established near Rangdori Behak and exchange of fire was going on when reports last came in,” sources said.
Besides, they said, the searches continued along Awaoora, Kumkadi, Zurhuma, Safawali, Batpora, Haihama areas by the joint team of army’s 41 RR, 57 RR, 160 TA and SOG Kupwara.

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