SRINAGAR — Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Molvi, the longest surviving commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit is among the three militants slain in an encounter between government forces and militants at Sirchand Top woods of Batkoot Pahalgam area of Anantnag district in South Kashmir on Friday.
Reports said a joint team of government forces including Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) at Sirchand Top 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 three militants identified as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Mohammad Ashraf Khan alias Ashraf Molvi from Tengpawa Kokernag, Mohammad Rafiq Drangay from Hayar Bijbehara and Roshan Zameer Tantray from Aswara Kanalwan Bijbehara were killed.
Sources said Ashraf Molvi had joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant outfit in 2013 while as Mohammad Rafiq Drangay joined in June 2019 and Roshan Zameer Tantray in May 2018.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar while terming the killing of Ashraf Molvi a big success said, “Successful operation on yatra route is a major success for us.”
Police in a statement said, “Ashraf Khan had a long history of criminal cases which include attacks on Police/SF and civilian atrocities.”
“He was involved in killings of Constable Imtiyaz Ahmad at Bus Stand Anantnag on 09/09/2017, Mohammed Saleem Dar resident of Larkipora, Fatehpora Anantnag on 02/04/2020, ASI Mohammad Ashraf near Police Station Bijbehara on 22/12/2021, Head Constable Ali Mohammed Ganie at Hasanpora Tavella on 29/01/2022,” the Police said, adding, that, on his directions, terrorists killed Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool Dar and his wife Jawahara Begum at Lal Chowk Anantnag on 09/08/2021.” — (KIMS)