Tragedy averted: two militants killed ahead of planned ambush

Shabir Ahmad

SRINAGAR: Two terrorists including a top Commander of Hizbul Mujahedeen terror outfit were gunned down in a brief encounter in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
In another incident, terrorists also abducted son of police officer and set ablaze car of their relative in Budgam district of central Kashmir.
The terrorists, who were killed, had ambushed the convoy of three police officers, but the coordinated retaliation led to their elimination within no time. " SSP Pulwama, ASP Pulwama and SSP Awantipora were going to some place when three terrorists in a Maruati Car ambushed them at Pasgampora," Director General of Police, Dr SP Vaid told The News Now. "The escort and Rashtriya Rifles party passing around retaliated and gunned two while third terrorist escaped."
They were identified as Rayees Kachroo of Below Rajpora village of Pulwama and Farooq Ahmad Hurra of Nazneenpora Shopian. Rayees was district commander of Hizbul terror outfit and was responsible for several local recruitments in south Kashmir.
Sources in police said that after opening the fire on cavalcade, the terrorists tried to escape in car. However an RR party along official escort engaged them and eliminated them. "The encounter continued for less 20 minutes ," sources said.
One AK 47 Rifle and an SLR, besides huge catch arms were recovered from slain terrorist. The SLR was snatched from guard duty in Tumlihal area of Shopian district in October 2016.
Reports said soon after the incident, protests erupted in some pockets of Pulwama.
In another incident, despite J&K Police Chief's warning, militants barged into a house of Assistant Jail Superintendent, threatened his family, abducted his son and set ablaze a car of the officer's relative in central Kashmir's Budgam district.
Police said that two militants on late Saturday barged inside the house of jail official, Abdul Samad Bhat at Hufru in Chrar Sharif and were looking for the official. Bhat, who is posted at Baramulla district jail, was not present in the house.
"The two militants were locals as they were conversing in Kashmir. They stayed in the house for few minutes and threatened the family. Later the militants took the officer's son and nephew as hostage and drove away in an Alto car of the officer's relative," a police officer said.
"The duo were set free by militants at Doulatpora, nearly 12 kms from their home, and the Alto car was later set ablaze by militants at Kralchek village," he added .
Police has registered a case and have started investigation in the case."We are trying to identify the militants," SSP Budgam, Wasim Qadri told The News Now.