Hizb militant killed in Anantnag gunfight

SRINAGAR — Police on Friday said that a militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who was also involved in several killings, was killed in a gunfight at Arwani area of Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

In a statement to GNS, the Police said that based on a specific input provided by Police regarding presence of a militant in village Mominhall Arwani area of Bijbehara Anantnag, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 01RR and 90Bn CRPF in the said area.

According to Police, during the search operation, as the presence of the trapped militant got ascertained, he was given ample opportunities to surrender. “However, he denied the surrender opportunities and instead fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.”

In the ensuing encounter, one militant identified as Shahzad Ahmad Seh son of Bashir Ahmad Seh, resident of Sehpora Kulgam, was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter, the Police spokesman said.

As per police records, the killed militant was a categorized militant linked with militant outfit HM active since September 2020 and was part of groups involved in several militant crime cases. He was involved in the killings of Police Inspector Mohammad Ashraf Bhat of Chandpora Kanelwan Anantnag at his residence on 19-10-2020, three BJP workers at YK-Pora Kulgam on 29-10-2020, BJP Sarpanch and his wife at Lal Chowk Anantnag on 09-08-2021, he said.

Besides, he was also involved in attack on DDC candidate Anees ul Islam Ganie at Sagam Kokernag on 04-12-2020 and in snatching weapon from a constable at Shamispora crossing in Khudwani area of Kulgam on 25-07-2021. Moreover, he was involved in various grenade lobbing incidents and attacks on security establishments in Anantnag and Kulgam areas, he said.

Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including one AK-47 rifle, two AK magazines, 40 AK rounds and a grenade were recovered from his possession. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, he said.

Police have registered case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the area at encounter site is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any, reads the statement.