Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said the two militants killed in a gunfight in Bijbehara area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district were affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit.
A police spokesman in a statement said that a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (3 RR) and CRPF in Kandipora village at about 6 pm yesterday based on specific input generated by Anantnag police regarding presence of militants there.
“Due to darkness, the operation was suspended however the cordon remained intact throughout night. Today in the morning, repeated announcements were again made to hiding militants to surrender, but the militants fired on the joint search party and the fire was retaliated resulting in the elimination of two hiding militants,” he said.
“They have been identified as Adil Ahmad Bhat resident of Shithpora Bijbehara and Zahid Ahmad Rather resident of Sirhama Anantnag, affiliated with proscribed outfit JeM,” he said.
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“As per police records, both the militants were involved in several crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities,” he added.
“Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other terror crimes,” said the spokesman.
“The last rites of the slain militants shall be performed after conducting their medicolegal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in their last rites,” he said.
“In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated,” he added.
“People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any,” said police spokesman in a statement
