Jammu and Kashmir: Three Al-Badr militants killed in Shopian encounter

A police spokesperson on Sunday said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 178 battalion of CRPF at around 1700 hrs on Saturday in orchards of Reban Bandpawa area of Shopian.

He said during the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained, they were given an opportunity to surrender.

However, he said, the militants fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

“In the initial retaliatory firing, one militant was killed, but the operation was suspended to give the trapped ultras another chance to surrender,” he said.

He said the joint teams exercised maximum restraint and facilitated the presence of family members of a holed up militant Faisal Gulzar at the encounter site so as to persuade him to surrender.

However, he said despite repeated appeals by his family members and assurances by the security forces, the other militant didn’t allow him to surrender. “Ultimately in the wee hours, during the fierce gunfight both the trapped militants were killed and bodies of all the three killed were recovered from the site of encounter,” he said.

He said two of the three slain militants have been identified as Aasif Ahmad Ganai and Faisal Gulzar Ganai, both the residents of Chitragam Kalan. “The identity of the third killed militant is being ascertained. As per police records, they were part of groups involved in many militancy related cases and linked with proscribed outfit Al-Badr,” he said.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint team of police and security forces for showing utmost patience and conducting operation in a professional manner.

The IGP Kashmir once again makes a fervent appeal to all misguided youth who have joined militant ranks to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream as the society needs them and most importantly their parents. He further said that we will welcome and accept them with open arms.

“Arms and ammunition including one AK-56 rifle, 2 pistols and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter,” the spokesperson said.

He said the last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Handwara and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites.

“In this connection, police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any,” he added.

Mobile internet of all Cellular companies, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), remained suspended since the operation was launched.

Meanwhile, Mir Junaid, President of Jammu Kashmir Workers Party, congratulated the security forces and tweeted: "I extend my congratulations to the forces for completely eliminating the terrorist group called Ansar Ghazwat ul Hind by slaying the last 7 left of the group. For those who wish to see a terror free Kashmir this is a great day & we must all pray for more success of our forces!"