SRINAGAR: Two
Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were gunned down in an anti-terror operation in Kreeri area of Dooru belt in south
Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Tuesday. The search for a third terrorist continued till the time of going to press. “The encounter took place on the highway close to the route of
Amarnath Yatra, thus an imminent threat was averted,” IGP (Kashmir Range)
Vijay Kumar said while lauding the security forces for taking extreme precautions to ensure zero collateral damage.
The operation assumes significance as the slain duo — identified as Arif Hussain Bhat of Dooru and Suhail Ahmad Lone of Kulgam’s Awgam — was part of the group that managed to escape from the encounter spot in Watnar, Kokernag, on April 16, in which Army jawan Nishan Singh lost his life. Both categorised terrorists were part of groups involved in several terror crimes including attacks on police, security forces and civilian atrocities, the IGP told reporters in Srinagar.
Arif was involved in killing ASI Mohammad Ashraf of Awantipora near Bijbehara PS on December 22, 2021; and in murdering head constable Ali Mohammad Ganie in Hasanpora Tabeela on January 29 this year. Suhail, meanwhile, had joined the organisation at the behest of active terrorist Raja Nadeem Rather of Ashmuji, Kulgam, said IGP Kumar.
The IGP said security forces have intensified anti-terror operations along the Yatra routes to ensure a smooth pilgrimage. “The Yatra routes are safe and will be safer in the days ahead,” he assured.
Based on intelligence inputs about the presence of three
Lashkar terrorists in Dooru area, a joint team of the Army’s 19RR and J&K Police launched a cordon-and-search operation. “As the search party zeroed in on the suspected hideout, terrorists opened fire on the security forces, triggering an encounter. Two terrorists were shot dead in the fire exchange and their bodies were recovered along with two AK rifles, a pistol, and two grenades besides other incriminating material,” IGP Kumar said.
A case was registered and an investigation was launched. To avoid accidents due to stray explosives that might be present at the spot, residents were warned against venturing close to the encounter site till the combing operation was over.