Slain militant was offered surrender, but he refused: Police
PULWAMA: An Al-Badr militant was killed in an encounter that raged between government forces and militants in Machoma Bhagandar area of Tral on Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, another gunfight that started in Sirhama area of Anantnag district this evening, is underway. An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an unidentified militant was killed in Machoma, Bhagander area of Pulwama.
A police spokesman said that on a specific input regarding presence of militants in Machama area of Awantipora, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Awantipora Police, 42 RR and 180 BN CRPF in the said area.
“During the search operation, as the presence of militant got ascertained he was given opportunity to surrender, however instead he fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. The killed militant has been identified as Irfan-ul-Haq Dar of village Gadikhal Charsoo Awantipora associated with proscribed outfit Al-Badr,” the spokesman said.
It said that as per the police records the killed terrorist has a long history of criminal involvement as in April 2019 he was involved in grenade lobbing on Police Station Awantipora for which case vide FIR No. 54/2019 under relevant sections of law and 7/27 A. Act stands registered at Police Station Awantipora and the subject was arrested and subsequently sent to Kot Balwal Jail Jammu. “Earlier in 2016 he was involved in stone pelting/arson case of Police Station Awantipora FIR No. 126/2016 under relevant sections of law stands charge sheeted in the Court of law,” the statement said.
After his release in April 2020, Irfan-ul-Haq was secretly involved in terror activities which include Al-Badr related recruitment in Awantipora & Tral areas. He was an important motivator and influenced young minds for joining terror ranks in Awantipora/Tral areas, the police spokesman said.
“Keeping in view the prevailing pandemic due to COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the dead body of the killed militant shall be sent to Handwara for burial after completion of all medico-legal formalities, the police spokesman said, adding that “the nearest family members of the killed militants shall be allowed to participate in the last rites at Handwara.”
Incriminating materials including arms, ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe his complicity in other terror crimes. In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated. “People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials, if any,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, another encounter that started between militants and security forces at Sirhama area of Anantnag district is underway. “Lights have been installed and cordoned layers tightened,” a police official said.