“Slain militants were involved in killing of BSF Jawan”
Srinagar, October 11
Two Garuda Commandos of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Wednesday, an army official said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hajin area of Bandipora district early on Wednesday following information about the presence of militants in the area, he said.
The militants opened firing on the security forces, triggering a gun battle, the official said.
The Garuda commandos, who were part of the operation for training and experience purpose, were injured in the exchange of fire with the militants, he said. They were evacuated to the 92 Base Hospital here where they died.
They have been identified as Sergeant Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar.
Two militants have been killed in the encounter so far, the official said, adding the slain ultras belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
They have been identified as Ali alias Abu Maaz, a Pakistani militant, and Nasrullah Mir, a local militant.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid said the militants were involved in a number of terror attacks in which security forces personnel and civilians were killed.
“It is a big success for security forces,” Vaid said. —
Nasrullah Mir was a known stone-pelter against whom several cases stands registered in different police stations. “He disappeared in March this year and joined Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit,” he said.
The official added that besides some food stuff and medicine, arms and ammunition was recovered from the possession of slain militants.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General North Kashmir VK Bridi said the slain militants were involved in the killing of off-duty BSF man Muhammad Ramzan Parrey.
Parrey was killed by gunmen on September 28. Four of his family members were injured in the shooting.
He said that they were part of the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant group involved in several attacks on security forces and civilians in the area in recent past.
Thousands of people amid complete shutdown participated in his last rites while the body of another non-local militant was secretly buried in Uri Gantmohalla. Witnesses said that men, women and children took to roads and participated in the final rites of slain local militant Nasraullah. The mourners raised pro-Islam and pro-freedom slogans. Large contingent of Police and Para-military troopers had been deployed on roads to maintain law and order.
Witnesses added that youth clashed with police after the killing of these two militants.
Authorities closed educational institutions in Bandipora district and some parts of Baramulla district following the culmination of encounter. Authorities also snapped internet service.
According to the orders of District Magistrate Bandipora, class work shall remain suspended in Government Degree College Sumbal, Government Higher Secondary Sumbal, Government Higher Secondary school Hajin, Government Higher Secondary school Naidkhai and Government High School Sumbal today.
He said the class work has been suspended “as a precautionary measure”.
