J&K: Suspected foreign militant along with aid, overground worker killed in Srinagar encounter

The families of two slain Altaf Bhat and Mudasir Gul, who had shops in the Hyderpora complex where the encounter broke, alleged the duo were used as a "human shield and were killed".

J&K police said there will be a probe into the sequence of events that led to the killing of a building owner in an apparent “crossfire”.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar said a foreign militant identified as Bilal Bhai also code-named Haider, his local associate possibly from Banihal area of Jammu, an Over Ground Worker Mudassir, who provided his rented space to Haider as militant hideout, and Altaf, who owned the building -- were killed in uptown Srinagar during an encounter on Monday.

Kumar while addressing the media at the Police Control Room (PCR) said the building owner was killed in a “crossfire” during the encounter.

“It is not clear whether the terrorist's bullet or the bullets fired by forces hit him. Terrorists were carrying pistols and it would be clear after investigations whose bullet hit him,” the IGP said.

Daughter of Altaf alleged that security forces shot dead her father. She said "not a single shot was fired from inside the house as there was no presence of any militant".

As there was an apprehension about the law and order situation, the body of Altaf was not handed over to family for last rites, Kumar said.

The OGW, Kumar said, was identified as Mudasir, who was living as a tenant in the building.

“He had provided shelter to Haider and his associate. This way he was harboring militants. Mudasir was also involved in ferrying Haider from the recent attack site of Jamalata Srinagar where a police man was injured,” the IGP said.

He said Mudasir was also involved in ferrying militants from south and north Kashmir areas.

"Altaf had rented out his shops to Mudasir Gul, a businessman and contractor by profession. He was running a fake call center as well. In one of the rooms, there was a militant hideout and we have made recoveries as well," he said.

However, Mudassir’s family said he was a dental surgeon and a witness of the entire "episode". Family alleged that he was also shot dead by the security forces for no fault of his.

“He was told by the security forces to accompany them to the top floor of the house a couple of times. When the security forces did not get anything they shot him dead,” they alleged.

Asked whether police had clear evidence of Mudasir being involved in “harbouring militants”, the IGP said they had digital evidence and once they get further proof, it will be shared with the media.

About the operation, Kumar said police received a tip off about the presence of militants near the national highway in Hyderpora and a cordon and a search operation was initiated.

“Police, CRPF and the army laid a cordon and when the security forces were supposed to storm the spot where terrorists were hiding, indiscriminate firing on the forces was started,” the IGP said.

In the ensuing gunfight, two terrorists including a foreigner identified as Haider and his local associate possibly from Banihal area of Jammu were killed. “We have called a family from Banihal to identify the slain,” the IGP said.

He said from the encounter site, two pistols, two magazines, half-a-dozen mobile phones and a few computers were recovered.

A Special Investigation Team has been constituted which would be headed by the DIG to probe the modus operandi of "Hi-tech Hyderpora hideout", Kumar said as he spoke about the Monday evening gunfight.

The IGP said apart from investigating the sequence of events that led to the killing of the building owner, militant associate, the probe team will also investigate the computer links with foreign countries.

The mainstream political parties have meanwhile demanded a probe into the incident amid conflicting opinion reports.