Reports said a joint team of government forces including Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) at Aganhanzipora following the inputs about presence of militants in the area.
They said that as the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.
In the encounter two newly joined local militants where killed and they have been identified as Shahid Mushtaq Bhat from Hafroo Chadoora Budgam and Farhan Habib from Hakripora Pulwama. The duo was affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant outfit.
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 AK 56 rifle, 4 magazines and a pistol were recovered from the site of encounter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said, “both were involved in killing of an artist Amreena Bhat from Hushroo Budgam” adding, “they had killed TV artist on the instruction of LeT Commander Lateef”.
Amreena Bhat was shot dead by suspected militants at her residence in Hushroo village in Chadoora area of Budgam district on Wednesday evening. Her 10-year-old nephew was also injured in the attack. — (KIMS)