Pakistani terrorist commander Saifulla Khalid killed in Srinagar encounter, policeman shot at in Pulwama

In a separate incident this evening, a cop was wounded in a militant attack in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, police said.

The Pakistani militant, killed this morning in Theed Harwan area of Srinagar, was identified as Saifulla alias Abu Khalid alias Shawaz, a resident of Karachi, Pakistan.

Police said the joint operation was launched based on specific input generated by Srinagar Police regarding his presence in Theed Harwan area of Srinagar.

"During the search operation, the presence of the trapped terrorist was ascertained and he was given ample opportunity to surrender. But he fired indiscriminately on the joint search party, leading to the encounter, in which the trapped terrorist was killed," a police spokesman said.

As per police records, Saifulla was a categorized militant and was linked with Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT).

"He had infiltrated in year 2016 via Bandipora Sector and later on sneaked into District Srinagar on the directions of Pak based Commanders of LeT outfit for intensifying terrorist related activities in District Pulwama, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam. Saifulla was working as Group Commander of proscribed terror outfit LeT in District Srinagar as he was familiar with the topography of District Srinagar, Pulwama and its outskirts," the spokesman said.

"He along with his associates was involved in an attack on Army Convoy in Bemina Bye-pass Srinagar on April 1, 2017, resulting in injuries to three Army Jawans," the spokesman said.

He was also the mastermind behind the attack carried out by his associates at Lawaypora Srinagar in which two SF personnel were martyred and 1 AK-47 rifle was also snatched.

He was involved in an attack on a police party of PS Bandipora at Gulshan Chowk Bandipora in which two police personnel were martyred.

"Besides, attacks on Police/SF he was also involved in civilian killings which include killing of BJP President Waseem Bari, his brother and father on July 8, 2020," police added.

"He was also mastermind behind the revival of terror folds by luring the gullible youth and a number of fresh recruitment of local youth into terrorist ranks. He was also instrumental in reactivation of hard core terrorist associates of LeT outfit in the areas of District Srinagar and District Pulwama/Police District Awantipora," police added.

An AK-47 rifle, three Magazines and one grenade were recovered from his possession.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that with the elimination of Saifulla, three Pakistani terrorists have been killed so far in Srinagar City during the past one month.

"Those (Pakistanis) killed were involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian killings which clearly shows that Pakistan is hell-bent to disturb the peace in Kashmir valley especially in Srinagar City," he said.

This evening, policeman was shot at and wounded in a militant attack in Pulwama.

Police said, Mushtaq Ahmad Wagay was shot near his native village Bandzoo in south Kashmir.

The injured cop was shifted to Sub District Hospital Pulwama for treatment.

Sources said that a cordon has been laid in the village to track the attackers.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested a militant associate identified as Feroz Ahmad Zargar alias Kamraan resident of Gratbal, Quimoh, Kulgam and recovered a Chinese Pistol alongwith magazine and other ammunition from his possession.