Three militants involved in Nowgam attack killed; 3 arrested; car seized : IGP

The weapon snatched from the martyred policeman has been recovered from the slain militants clearly proving their involvement in Thursday's attack, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar told reporters.

The Nowgam attack was jointly carried out by the militants of Lashkher-e-Toiba (LeT) and Al-badr outfits, he said.

He said three other people were also arrested and vehicle used for the Nowgam attack seized which later led to starting joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) by Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and the CRPF.

He said immediately after attack by a group of four militants at the house of BJP leader Anwar Khan in which a police guard Rameez was killed, a massive hunt was launched.

He said in the process one person was arrested and on his disclosure three more people were also detained. The vehicle used in the attack belonging to one where the encounter took place in Kakpora in Pulwama Friday has been seized.

The IGP said militants had come in an Alto vehicle (JK01E-2098) which has been seized from the house of one Nawaz Dar who has been booked. The vehicle belongs to Dar which actually helped us to track the militants immediately, Kumar said, adding two other militants who were part of Nowgam attack are residents of Srinagar who remained here. However, the militants who had left for Pulwama after the attack were killed today.

Kumar said slain militants were identified as Suhail Lone, Nissar Lone and Junaid. Suhail had come in a burqa to the house of BJP. He said one of the militant killed in today attack might have entered Kashmir via Nepal.

He said the rifle snatched by militants from the police constable has also been recovered after Kakpora Pulwama encounter.

One Ak 47 rifle, one Self Loading Rifle (SLR) and one pistol were recovered from the site of encounter, he said.

The IGP said half a dozen militants are active in Srinagar who will be brought back to mainstream, arrest or neutralized.

Kumar said one woman suffered minor injuries in cross firing adding two to three people were injured in stone pelting.

About statement by BJP that activists of the party are facing more threat, IGP said all political parties are facing threat. However, he admitted the BJP leaders are facing more threat. He said security measures are being further tightened and policemen doing guard duty will be given more training how they can fight and neutralize militants when they attack any guarded person.