1 soldier lost life in anti-militancy operation
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Feb 28: Security forces said on Tuesday that they killed two terrorists , including the killer of a Kashmiri, Pandith Sanjay Kumar, in an anti-militancy operation in south Kashmir’s Awantipora.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that a joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation in the Padgampora area of Awantipora following inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight.
In the gunfight, two terrorists , and an army soldier were killed, and one army trooper sustained injuries.
In addition, Director General of Police Vijay Kumar shared the details about this operation and said that Two local terrorists have been gunned down including the killer of Sanay Kumar a Kashmiri Pandith. The top police officer identified both terrorists as Aqib Mushtaq Bhat of Pulwama (A Category) and Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (C-Category) Son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat resident of Syedabad, Pastana Tral.
He further said that the operation was prolonged with the utmost care due to the close proximity of the Mosque near the encounter site.
ADGP said the militant Aqib Mushtaq Bhat of Pulwama was behind the killing of the Late Sanjay Sharma, was an A-category militant and was initially working with Hizbul Mujahideen, but was now working with TRF.
He said 1 AK-47 rifle, 1AKS-74u rifle, 1 pistol, 2 grenades, 2 pouches, 5 AK magazines, 2 pistol magazines, and 2 AADHAAR cards were recovered from them.
Investigation so far revealed that both the terrorists , although joined through different militant organizations, had come together to conspire and attack minorities, outsiders, other vulnerable targets, and security forces, the officer said.
They were involved in FIR No. 14/2023 PS Litter (recent killing of Kashmir Pandit Sanjay Pandita at Achan), FIR No 82/2022 PS Pulwama (attack of 2 outsider labourers at Lajoora), FIR no 115/2022 PS Tral (weapon snatching attempt), FIR No 76/2022 PS Tral (OGW module which supported them for grenade lobbing) among many other cases, the officer added.
Meanwhile, ADGP Kashmir paid rich tributes to the martyred soldier and appreciated joint efforts of police and security forces for conducting such a complex operation where a hostage situation was defused tactfully and also the sanctity of the mosque was maintained.
On Sunday morning, a Kashmiri Pandith Sanjay Kumar working as a bank guard at a bank was shot dead by terrorists near his home in Ahan village of Pulwama district. This was the first attack on Kashmiri Pandits this year.
Police Statement
In a bravely executed operation, based upon specific input, joint forces of Army, J&K Police, and CRPF launched a cordon in Padgampora village of Awantipora. During the search, terrorists hiding inside a mosque opened indiscriminate fire upon search parties and in this initial exchange of fire, two jawans of Army sustained grievous injuries while neutralizing one terrorist on spot. One of the jawans later on attained martyrdom.
Extreme caution and limited firepower was used in view of the sacred precincts. Civilians praying inside were also evacuated on time preventing any collateral damage.
Resuming the search for the second terrorist who had holed up inside a bathroom of an adjacent building, again caution was exercised and 14 civilians were rescued from the place before he was neutralized.
Investigation so far revealed that both the terrorists, although joined through different terrorist organisations, had come together to conspire and attack minorities, outsiders, other vulnerable targets and security forces.
They were involved in FIR No. 14/2023 of PS Litter (recent killing of Kashmir Pandit Sh. Sanjay Pandita at Achan, Pulwama), FIR No 82/2022 of PS Pulwama (attack on 2 outside labourers at Lajoora), FIR No 115/2022 of PS Tral (weapon snatching attempt), FIR No 76/2022 of PS Tral (OGW module which supported them for grenade lobbing) among many other cases.
Army’s statement
According to a statement issued by PRO Defense (Srinagar), based on specific input, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Indian Army, JKP & CRPF at about 6:35 PM on 27 Feb 23 in Potgampora, Pulwama.
In order to evade Security Forces, the terrorists occupied a Mosque in the target area. Ensuring the sanctity of the mosque, the Security Forces closed in and appealed to the terrorists to surrender. The terrorists, however opened indiscriminate fire on Security Forces and when cornered, used civilians in target area as a shield to escape. The Security Forces displayed utmost restrain and evacuated civilians praying inside the mosque thereby preventing any collateral damage.
The Security Forces fired with extreme caution to preserve the sacred precincts and neutralized one terrorist on the spot. Meanwhile, the second terrorist fled and hid in the adjacent building housing the local citizens. In the intense firefight, lasting several hours, the Security Forces subsequently not only neutralized the second terrorist, but also safely evacuated the civilians trapped inside the house. During this action, SepoyPawan Kumar and NaikHemraj, lead from the front and suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were immediately evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar. Subsequent to the elimination of both the terrorists, the search of the area resulted in recovery of two AK series rifles, one pistol, three grenades and other war like stores.
SepoyPawan Kumar in a sheer act of bravery over powered the first terrorist in a hand to hand combat and was grievously injured. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The deceased soldier is survived by his mother, SmtBhajunDassi. The mortal remains of the brave soldier will be moved for the last rites to his native place at Village Pithyt, Post Kinoo, Tehsil Rampur, District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and will be laid to rest with full military honours. In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and remains committed to their dignity and well-being.
According to JKP, the neutralized terrorists have been identified as AqibMushtaqBhat of Malangpora, Pulwama, associated with proscribed terror outfit HM, but for the past few months working with TRF and Aijaz Ahmad Bhat of SyedabadPastuna, Tral associated with terror outfit JeM and also working in coordination with TRF. Further investigation by JKP has also revealed that both the terrorists had come together to conspire and attack minorities, non-locals and Security Forces in Kashmir. Both the terrorists were also involved in killing of Mr Sanjay Sharma last Sunday and have now been neutralized within 48 hours of their heinous act by Security Forces.
