J&K: Militant's body recovered from Bandipora

The deceased, who has been identified as Tariq Ahmad, was affiliated with newly formed rebel group Lashkar-i-Islam group, the police claimed.

A J&K Police official told IBNS that Tariq was involved in the attack on a police post in Mirgund pattan in which four policemen, including a station house officer, suffered critical bullet injuries.

“After carrying the attack on our police party Tariq along with another associates fled from the spot. Meanwhile, a police party along with the army chased the duo that jumped into River Jehlum near Bandipora’s Sumbal,” said the police official.

“The other associate of Tariq successfully crossed the river while as he could not make to the other side of the river, got drowned,” he added. 

Deputy Inspector General of Police North Kashmir Gareeb Dass while confirming the incident said, "We recovered the dead body of a militant from River Jehlum in north Kashmir’s Sumbal town." 

“Initial investigation has suggested that Tariq was the right hand of Abdul Qayoom Najar of Sopore who recently formed the splinter group Lashar-i-Islam, a brain child of Hizbul Mujhahideen,” he told IBNS. 

(Reproting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)