srinagar:
Based on specific information generated by the Pulwama Police Department regarding the presence of terrorists in the Mitrigam area, the military and CRPF launched a joint search on Thursday.
During the search, as the joint search party moved towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately at the search party, which retaliated and led to a meeting.
One security force sustained gunshot wounds in the first firefight. He was immediately taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries. However, the operation was halted to ensure the safe evacuation of all civilians trapped around the meeting place. In addition, all necessary precautions were taken to prevent any collateral damage, according to the police report.
After the evacuation of the civilians was completed, the operation was resumed. In the ensuing operation, two local terrorists, identified as Aijaz Hafiz of Dalipora and Shahid Ayub of Dheeri Murran, associated with banned terror group Al-Badr, were killed and their bodies recovered from the site of the encounter.
According to police records, both terrorists killed were categorized as terrorists and as part of groups involved in a range of terror crimes, including attacks on police and security forces and civil atrocities. Both terrorists killed were involved in a series of recent terror attacks against outside workers in Pulwama, police said.
Terrorist Aijaz Ahmad Hafiz was involved in shooting at outside workers namely Sonu Sharma son of Banarasi Dass resident of Pathankote in Yadder Pulwama, Mohammad Akram son of Ab Salam resident of Bijnor UP in Arihal Pulwama and Wishwajeet Kumar son of Parwas Mandal resident of Banka Bihar in Gangoo Circular Road, Pulwama.
He was also involved in shooting the bank guard namely Ab Hamid Wani, resident of Tahab Pulwama and Sarpanch Gh Nabi Kumar of Panchayat Halqa Arihal B in Arihal Pulwama. In addition to these terror crimes, terrorist Aijaz Hafiz played an important role in recruiting Shahid Ayoub Sheikh into terrorist ranks, who was also neutralized in the said encounter.
Terrorist Shahid Ayoub was involved in shooting at two outside workers, namely Patlashwar Kumar, son of Jako Choudary and Joko Choudary, son of Thaugh Choudary, both residents of Bihar in Lajoora Pulwama. Before joining terrorists, he worked as a terrorist aide and was involved in several other terror crimes.
Incriminating materials, weapons and ammunition were recovered at the site of the encounter. All recovered materials are included in the file for further investigation.
IGP Kashmir called this operation a great success and congratulated the joint forces for neutralizing the terrorists involved in the recent terror attacks against outside workers.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the current year so far, 62 terrorists associated with various banned terror groups have been neutralized in several encounters in the valley.
IGP Kashmir said while sharing with the media that as a result of improved Humint, Techint and targeted operations, the survival rate of terrorists is drastically decreasing. During the current year, 62 terrorists associated with various terror groups have been neutralized in several encounters so far.
Of these 62 terrorists killed, 32 terrorists were neutralized within just three months of joining the terror rank. Of the 62 terrorists killed, 39 were linked to terror group LeT, 15 to JeM, 06 to HM & 02 to Al-Badr. Among the killed terrorists are 47 local terrorists and 15 foreign terrorists.
IGP Kashmir once again reiterates its appeal to all misguided youth who have joined terror groups to shun the path of terrorism and return to the mainstream. He also appealed to the parents and elders of these terrorists to plead with their wards to avoid this reckless path of violence.
In this regard, a case has been registered on the basis of relevant articles of law and an investigation has been launched.
People have been asked to cooperate with the police until the area at the meeting place has been completely decontaminated and cleared of all explosive material.
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