Militants Killed in Anantnag Encounter Were Affiliated with JeM, identified: Police

Srinagar: Two Militants who were killed in an encounter, which raged yesterday and concluded today in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit, Police said.

A statement by the officials said that on 10/03/2021 at about 1805hrs based on specific input generated by Anantnag police regarding presence of militants in village Kandipora Bijbehara area of Anantnag, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (3 RR) and CRPF in the area.

Officials stated that during the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

Due to darkness the operation was suspended however the cordon remained intact throughout night, they added.

“Today in the morning, repeated announcements were again made to hiding militants to surrender, but the they fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated resulting in the elimination of two hiding militants,” officials stated.

Officials identified them as Adil Ahmad Bhat resident of Shithpora Bijbehara and Zahid Ahmad Rather resident of Sirhama Anantnag, affiliated with proscribed militant outfit JeM.

The statement said that as per police records, both the killed militants were involved in several crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.

Incriminating materials including arms & ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, officials stated, adding that all the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other militant crimes.

Officials further stated that the last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting their medico-legal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in their last rites.

In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated, they added.

Officials also requested the people to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any.