One of the three militants who were killed in two encounters in Kulgam and Srinagar in the past 24 hours was planning a ‘fidayeen’ attack, the police said on Friday.
“The militant killed in the Srinagar encounter was identified as Aamir Riyaz from Pulwama’s Khrew. He was affiliated with the Mujahideen Gazwatul Hind. He was assigned to carry out a ‘fidayeen’ attack,” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar stated.
The current situation in Kashmir | In Focus podcast
Riyaz was a relative of one of the accused of the Lethpora militant attack. The militant was killed during a search operation in Srinagar’s Bemina on Thursday evening. One AK-47 was recovered from the encounter site.
Bodies found
In south Kashmir’s Kulgam, the police claimed the bodies of two militants, who belonged to the Hizb-ul- Mujahideen, were found at the Chawalgam encounter site. The two were encircled during a search operation on Thursday.
Also read:India bombs Jaish camp in Pakistan’s Balakot
“An appeal for surrender was made by the security forces, which went unheeded. Intermittent exchange of fire between the terrorists and security forces ensued throughout the night,” an Army spokesman observed.
At first light on Friday, the security forces launched an operation to flush out the terrorists, and by 8:30 a.m., both were neutralised. One AK-47, one pistol and other warlike stores were recovered from the encounter site,” the Army said.
Also read: Target terror: India strikes across LoC
One slain militant, identified as Sheeraz Ahmad Lone alias Maulvi from Kulgam’s Souch, Kulgam, joined militancy in September 2016. “He proclaimed himself as self-styled district commander in Kulgam. He was responsible for misleading a number of youths in the area by radicalising them,” the spokesman added.
The second militant was identified as Yawar Ahmad Bhat from Kulgam’s Ponipora. “He joined the Hizb on March 26, 21. He was trying to orchestrate terrorist attacks on innocent civilians,” the Army noted.
