Two militants, CRPF man killed in shoot-out at Lawaypora

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SRINAGAR — A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) man and two militants were killed in a shoot-out at Lawaypora on Srinagar outskirts, police said on Wednesday.

Director General of Police (DGP) J&K Dilbagh Singh while addressing a press conference at Police Control Room Srinagar said that three militants were travelling on a two-wheeler (scooty) when they were asked to stop at a check-point set up by police and CRPF on the basis of an input.

“The trio seems to have had a plan to carry out a strike in Srinagar city,” the DGP said. However, family members of the injured person who was identified as Umar Fayaz refuted police claim, stating that their son was a shopkeeper and he was hit by a bullet when he was very much on his shop at Lawayapora on Srinagar outskirts. They also said that Umar had no militant links.

Speaking on the occasion, Special Director General (ADG) CRPF Zulfikar Hassan said on the road stretch of Srinagar-Parimpora, police and the 73 battalion of CRPF had set up naka points at some places after an input received by the police.

“Three persons were travelling on a two-wheeler and they were coming from Baramula district. They were wearing no helmets and when they were asked to stop. One person sitting on the rear side got down and opened fire at the CRPF man that hit his head,” Hassan said.

As per reports, the rest of the alert parties of police and CRPF retaliated in a very professional manner, killing two militants on the spot. “The third militant was also hit and he was caught alive in an injured condition. He is being treated at the hospital,” the SDG CRPF said.

Asked about the recoveries from the spot, the SDG CRPF said that “significant recoveries” were made from the spot including grenades. “I would congratulate the party that dealt with the militants in a professional way despite the fact that the area witnesses huge public and private traffic. The police and CRPF parties will be rewarded for this brave act,” he said.

Replying to a query about the identity of the slain militants, present on the occasion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the two slain militants were identified as Ziaur Rehman from Budgam, who was affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and there were many FIRs against him.

“Second one was identified as Khateeb Das who was associated with Hizbul Mujahideen. He is the brother-in-law of slain ISJK commander Mugeet Mir of Parimpora, Srinagar,” he said.

The IGP further said that third militant who was captured alive in an injured condition was identified as Umqr Fayaz who was affiliated with ISJK. “Zia-ur Rehman was involved in the weapon loot incident in year 2018 at the official residence of Congress leader Muzaffar Parray,” the IGP said.

The slain CRPF man was identified as Ramesh Ranjan of 73 battalion.

On another query about recoveries of weapons made from the shoot-out site, DGP Dilbagh Singh said that two pistols and few grenades were recovered from the site. “But given the profile of one of the slain militants, Zia-ur Rehma, there is a possibility that he would have been carrying more weapons. That can be looked into once the investigations are taken up and the injured militant is questioned,” he said.

About the militants killed so far in year 2020, the DGP said that lot of operations took place and there were lot of operational achievements for the security forces.

“Twenty militants and three security forces personnel were killed so far this year. Recently, three militants who were coming from Nagrota after crossing over to this side were killed in an encounter. The recoveries made from them include eight weapons including a US made M-4 carbine which was used by the Jaish men in 2018 for sniping attacks. Given the recoveries made from them, it seems they were planning a big strike in Kashmir. They had left behind a readymade IED at Nagrota also,” he said.

Asked whether militants are planning any strike in Kashmir, he said that city security grid is very active. “Lot of modules were busted in the past few weeks. A Jaish module was busted in Srinagar that had connections with a local militant killed in Gulshanpora, Tral encounter along with Qari Yasir. The recoveries made from the Jaish module included a suicide vest which signifies that they were upto something big,” the DGP said.

To a query whether Jaish men are planning any big strike on the eve of Afzal Guru’s hanging anniversary that falls on February 9, the DGP said that security forces are maintaining highest level of alert everywhere.

On whether there was any new militant module active in Srinagar given the recent grenade attack at Pratap Park Srinagar, he said it seems that there is another module involved in throwing grenades. “We have got a few leads and clues and hopefully will soon catch the grenade throwers,” he said.

The DGP while replying to a query said that coming summer would be peaceful. “I am hopeful that law and order situation will remain under control and summer will be peaceful,” he said.

On VPNS, the DGP Singh said that ever since 2G mobile internet services were restored in Kashmir, VPNs started raining on phones.

“The truck driver who was ferrying Jaish militant had made a call with the help of VPN across, stating that he didn’t receive the group. And when truck was intercepted and firing was going on, he clicked the photographs of the encounter and had even sent the same to across with a text that they were intercepted,” the DGP said.

“This reveals VPNs are being misused by militants,” he said.

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