Militant Slain In Shopian Was Involved In Safa Kadal, Soura Grenade Attacks: Kashmir Police

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday said the militant slain in a brief gunfight with the security forces in southern Shopian district was involved in Safa Kadal and Soura grenade attacks.

Giving details of the gunfight, a police spokesman said that a cordon & search operation was launched today morning at Ram Nagri area of Herpora in District Shopian following inputs about the presence of militants.

During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party, he said, adding that the fire was retaliated, leading to a brief exchange of fire.

In the brief exchange of fire, one militant, identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi alias Umar son of Mushtaq Ahmad resident of Model Town-B, Sopore, was killed.

Ishfaq, he said, had a long history of crime records and was initially affiliated with proscribed outfit HuM. “He along with his associates were involved in series of crimes including grenade attacks on CRPF bunker at Safa Kadal, Soura and Police Station Khanyar. He was also part of groups which had carried out attacks on security establishments in the area,” said the spokesman.

Ishfaq was subsequently arrested and after his release on bail, he again got recycled and joined the militant ranks last year in 2018.

“Ishfaq, as per the police records, after getting recycled again got involved in planning and executing attacks. He was also involved in attacks on security establishments and many other civilian atrocities,” said the spokesman.

Incriminating material including arms & ammunition has been recovered from his possession.