Srinagar: Four local Lashker-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday.
“Based on specific input generated by police regarding the presence of militants in Badigam area of Zainapora Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police and Army (44RR ) in the area,” police said in a statement to GNS.
“During the search operation, as the search party proceeded towards the suspected spot, the hiding (militants) fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter. Later on CRPF also joined.”
In the ensuing encounter, he said, four local militants of LeT were killed. They have been identified as Aaqib Farooq Thoker son of Farooq Ahmed Thoker, Waseem Ahmed Thoker son of Abdul Ghani Thoker, both resident of Heffkhuri, Zainapora, Farooq Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Salam Bhat and Shoqeen Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Abdulla Mir, both resident of Sugan.
As per police records, he said, all of them were “categorized” militants and part of groups involved in several cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilians. IGP Kashmir said that killed militants were active in Shopian and adjacent areas of Pulwama. “They were involved in six cases including attacks on outside labourers.”
Aaqib Farooq Thoker was involved in snatching of 12 Bore Rifle from JK guard Murran TP branch in which the bank guard Abdul Hamid Wani of Tahab got injured. He was also involved in Case FIRs 25/2022 & 26/2022 of PS Litter pertaining to attack on driver namely Deeraj Dutt of Pathankot and cleaners namely Surinder Singh and Sonu Sharma, both residents of Pathankot at Nowpora and Yadar respectively in which they got injured.
“IGP Kashmir congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-militancy operation without any collateral damage,” the spokesman said, adding, “IGP said that hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on and they will be neutralised soon.” (GNS)
