The Jammu Kashmir Police have said that two militants including a “hybrid” militant were killed in the encounter at Khurbatpora area of Kulgam.
As per a Police official, based on specific input generated by Kulgam Police regarding the movement of militants in a vehicle on the Manzgam-Aharbal axis, a special joint team of Police & Army was constituted.
At about 1750hrs, a three-wheeler vehicle (Tempo) was spotted near Khur-Batpora moving in suspicious conditions which were chased and challenged. However, the travelers in the suspected vehicle jumped out and resorted to indiscriminate firing toward the joint team of forces. The firing was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter.
In the initial exchange of fire two police personnel got critically injured and were evacuated amidst the heavy firing and airlifted to Army’s Base Hospital Srinagar where their condition is stable now.
In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved. They have been identified as a Pakistani militant Jameel Pasha @Usman Chacha linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM & a “Hybrid” militant Sameer Ahmad Sofi son of Farooq Ahmad Sofi, resident of Amshipora, Shopian.
Jameel Pasha was active for 05 years in the Kulgam-Shopian belt and had a history of militancy crime cases including attacks on Police/SF, abduction of forces personnel, IED attacks, and weapon looting.
“Jameel was also instrumental in the recruitment of youth into militant folds. It is pertinent to mention that the slain were part of the group that escaped after a brief gunfight in Chaki Samad area of Kulgam on 09.04.2022,” Police stated.
IGP Kashmir appreciated joint team for conducting successful operation which led to elimination of most wanted Pakistani militant.
Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK47 rifle, 03 AK47 Magazine, 36 AK 47 rounds, 01 Pistol, 01 Pistol Magazine, 05 Pistol rounds, 01 Grenade catch 86P, 01 BP Pouch, and 01 weapon Oil Bottle have been recovered.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes. Also the vehicle used in commission of crime has been seized,” Police stated.