2 Local militants killed
Mohammad Abu Bakar
Kulgam : Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar on Monday termed the Kulgam gunfight a successful operation ahead of Shri Amarnath Yatra.
The top police officer said this operation is a major success to security forces as the encounter site was very close to the highway (Yatra route).
The Resistance Front (TRF), a militant outfit, which the police believe is Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in disguise, earleir this month issued threat to yatra.
The annual pilgrimage didn’t take place in the past two years due to Covid-19 pandemic. The government allowed it this year as the threat of Covid-19 has subsided.
Pertinently, two local militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba were killed in a gunfight in Kulgam district on Monday.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that on specific input regarding the presence of militants in village Nowpora Kherpora Trujbi area of Kulgam, a mixture of forces laid search operation.
He said as soon as searching party encircled the target house, the hidding militants opened fire upon them thus turned into gunfight.
He said in the ensuing encounter two local militants identified as Zubair Ahmad Mir of Qaimoh Kulgam and Idrees Ahmad Dar of Kulgam Kulpora were killed.
The officer said both were affiliated with militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter the officer added.
Meanwhile, Police in a statement issued to Kashmir Despatch said both killed militants were categorised and were involved in several cases including attacks on police/security forces including killing of PRIs.
As per police statement Zubair Ahmad Mir was active since Aug 2021 and was trying to revive the (militant) folds bu recruiting and motivating the gullible youth including Idrees Ahmad to join militant folds.
