A Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was among four militants killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Watrigam village of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Sunday, police said.
A joint team of the army’s 19 RR and Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a cordon and search operation in Watergam near Dialgam, reports said. As the joint team of the security forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.
A police spokesman confirmed the killing of the four militants in a tweet posted on its official Twitter handle.
Police statement:
Acting on specific information, Anantnag Police along with security forces including 19 RR and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in Dar Mohalla Watarigam area of Dialgam, Anantnag.
During the search operation, the hiding militants fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter.
In the encounter, four militants were killed. They were identified as Muzaffar Ahmed Bhat (District commander of proscribed outfit LeT) son of Mohammad Amin Bhat, Omar Ameen Bhat (affiliated with proscribed outfit LeT) son of Mohd Ameen Bhat, both residents of Sopat Tangpora, Kulgam, Sajad Ahmed Bhat (affiliated with proscribed outfit LeT) son of Mohd Subhan resident of Tengbal Frisal and Gulzar Ahmed Bhat (affiliated with proscribed outfit HM) son of Abdul Salam Bhat resident of Hirpora Tarigam, Kulgam.
Two AK 47 rifles, two pistols, ammunition and other incriminating materials have been recovered from the site of encounter.
As per police records, Muzzafar had a history of crime cases since 2017. He was involved in 7 different cases U/S 7/25 Arms Act, 302 IPC, 18, 19, 20, 39 ULAP Act. Terrorist Gulzar Ahmad Bhat was involved in a case U/S 13, 18, 38, 39 ULAP Act of PS Kulgam. Sajad Ahmad was also involved in a case U/S 13, 20 ULAP Act. Similarly, Omar was involved in 3 FIR’s U/S 13,16, 18, 20, 39 ULAP Act.