JeM commander Sajad Nawab killed as gunfight ends in Sopore

SRINAGAR — A JeM militant was killed in a gunfight with government forces in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar (IPS) said that while the militant was killed, searches are still underway at the encounter site.

He identified the slain militant as Sajad Ahmad Dar resident of Saidapora, Sopore. The top police officer said that the slain militant was active from 2018 and a number of cases were registered against him for “subversive activities.”

“The slain militant was involved in recruiting youth for joining militancy in north Kashmir,” IGP said.

Searches are in progress to clear the area and to ensure all explosives are cleared at the encounter site, he said.

A joint team of Army’s 22 RR, 179 battalion CRPF and SOG had cordoned off Gulabad area of Arampora Sopore on Tuesday evening following inputs about the presence of militants in the area. Following 14-hours-long siege, the gunfight broke out after the government forces approached the target spot where the militants were hiding.