Two militants have been killed during the encounter that raged in the Nihama area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
The Indian army’s Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police force, during the intervening night, has launched a cordon and search operation in the Pulwama area.
During the operation, the militants opened fire upon the forces triggering an encounter in the area. “Two militants have been killed in the exchange of gunfire,” official said.
As per details, one of the slain has been identified as Riyaz Ahmed Dar, a resident of Sethergund area of Pulwama’s Kakapora and the second militant has been identified Rayees Ahmed, who is also a resident of Pulwama.
Reyaz Ahmed Dar, also known as Khalid or Sheeraz, is an associate of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) from Sethergund in Pulwama, Jammu Kashmir.
As per Police, he has been identified as a key figure in a militant module involved in logistics, sheltering, transferring finance, and motivating youth to become hybrid militants.
Reyaz was also reportedly linked to the killing of a policeman, Constable Reyaz Ahmad Thoker, in May 2022.
He has been active for several years, but he rejoined the militant ranks in 2015 and is considered one of the most wanted militants in the region.
Reyaz Ahmed Dar’s activities have made him a high-priority target for security forces. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued proclamation orders against him.