Forces handover body of Zakir Musa to family for last rites

Tral, May 24  The government forces on Friday morning handed over the body of Ansar Gazwatul Hind (AGH) chief Zakir Musa to his family for last rites. Musa was killed in an encounter with government forces last night in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

An official told KNO that the body of Musa was recovered during early hours on Friday from the encounter site. “We have also recovered an AK 47 rifle and a rocket launcher,” the official told KNO.

On Thursday a gunfight started in the area after a joint team of army and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) in Dadsara village after receiving reports about the presence of militants there. The J&K police also claimed that Musa was urged to surrender but he turned down the offer.

“He instead lobbed UBGL grenades and opened fire at the encounter site which was retaliated by forces triggering encounter,” the police official told KNO. He further said the encounter lasted for around 11 hours and was officially called off during wee hours on Friday.