Militant killed in Mochwa Budgam, another held in Khrew

SRINAGAR — Kashmir Zone Police on Saturday said that the encounter between the militants and government forces in Mochwa area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district ended with the killing of local Al-Badr militant namely Shakir Bashir Dar, hailing from Goripora Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

On the other hand, police claimed that a militant, who escaped during the gunfight at Mochwa in Budgam district, was arrested from Khrew Pampore area in Pulwama district and was identified as Shabir Ahmad Najar of Wuyan.

Kashmir Zone Police quoting IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on its Twitter handle said, “Second militant who escaped from encounter site, after following a lead, has been arrested in Khrew,” adding that a pistol and a grenade have been recovered from his possession and the driver of the truck in which he was hiding was also arrested.

In a statement issued here, Kashmir Zone Police said, “It was learnt that while laying cordon, another militant had managed to escape from the encounter site and the information was shared with Awantipora Police.”

“Awantipora Police while developing the lead further launched a cordon and search operation in Mantaqi Colony Khrew area along with 50RR and 185BN CRPF. During the search, the escaped militant was tracked down and arrested while hiding in a truck bearing Registration No. JK13-2397,” the police said.

It added, ‘He has been identified as Shabir Ahmad Najar, resident of Wuyan Khrew, linked with proscribed militant outfit LeT. The driver of the truck identified as Mohd Shafi Dar, resident of Gratwani Mohalla Khrew, has also been arrested.”

It added that earlier militant from the Al-Badr militant outfit was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter, who has been identified as Shakir Bashir Dar son of Bashir Ahmad Dar resident of Goripora, Awantipora.

They also mentioned that incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK-rifle with two Magazines, 32 rounds, one Chinese pistol with two Magazines, 16 rounds, one backpack and one pouch were recovered from the site of encounter.

The gunfight, as per police, had ensued after a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area.