Kashmir

Two local militants killed in Srinagar encounter

SRINAGAR — Two local militants were killed in an encounter between government forces and militants at Zakoora area of Jammu and Kashmir’s summer Capital, Srinagar on Saturday.

Reports said a joint team of government forces including J&K Police and CRPF had launched Cordon-and-Search-Operation (CASO) in Zakoora area of the city 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 local militants were killed and they have been identified as Ikhlaq Ahmad Hajam son of Ab Ahad Hajam resident of Kujer Frisal Kulgam and Adil Nisar Dar son of Nisar Ahmad resident of Malangpora Pulwama. Both were affiliated with proscribed militant outfit LeT (TRF).

As per police records, killed militants Ikhlaq Ahmad was active since June-2021 and Adil Nisar was active since August-2021.

Police in a statement said, Both the killed militants were categorized militants and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attack on Police/SF and civilian atrocities. Besides, they were also instrumental in motivating the gullible youth to join terror folds and reviving the OGW network.

The killed militant Ikhlaq was the mastermind behind the recent killing of HC Ali Mohammad at Hasanpora Anantnag on 29/1/22. He was also involved in an IED blast on Qaimoh-Yaripora road on 18/01/2022.

Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 02 pistols and 05 hand grenades were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation, the statement ends. — (KIMS)