Srinagar, July 17: A top Jash-e-Mohammad militant commander known to be an IED expert was among three militants killed in the gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in Kulgam district on on Friday, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said.
The top police officer also said that the militant commander had escaped previously from four encounters, leaving behind a MO4 American rifle in one instance.
While three militants were killed, as many army soldiers were injured in the gunfight at Nagnad Chimmer area of the Kulgam district, the DGP told.
“The operation was launched in the wee hours this morning on a credible input by Kulgam Police along with local Army (9 RR) and CRPF units,” he said.
He said that three army soldiers injured during the encounter were evacuated to army hospital.
“The killed (militants) are from Jaish-e-Mohammed and reportedly include a top (militant) commander known to be an IED expert. (He) was responsible for a large number of attacks including many IED attempts against security forces in the recent past,” he said, adding, “He was reportedly able to escape from 3/4 encounters, leaving behind an MO 4 American rifle in one case.”
Inspector general of Police Vijay Kumar told a presser here that top commander among the list of 12 most wanted militants.
Identifying him as a Pakistani national Walid, he said that militate was an IED expert.
“As per Police records, Walid was involved in several militant attacks including civilian atrocities. He was involved in the killing of four civilians in Kulgam. He was also involved in luring innocent youth to join militant ranks.”
Earlier when the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.
“On a specific input generated by Kulgam Police regarding presence of (militants) in village Nagnad-Chimmer area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by JKP, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the said area,” a police spokesperson said.
During the search operation as the presence of militant got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender. However they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter, he said.
The identification of the other slain militants was being ascertained, he said.
Meanwhile, bodies of the killed militants has been sent to Handwara for their last rites and it was done after conducting medico-legal formalities including collection of their DNA, officials said. (GNS)
