Two terrorists killed in Shopian encounter

SRINAGAR: Two terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit, including a cop-turned-terrorist were killed in an encounter in Check-i-Sidique Khan area of South Kashmir Shopian district on the intervening night of July 18-19.
IG police, Kashmir range said that the encounter started after a cordon and search operation was carried out by a joint team of Police, 34RR and 178 BN CRPF in the suspected area following the inputs about the presence of terrorists.
It was further said that during the searches by forces, the holed up terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which retaliated leading to an encounter.
The slain terrorists were affiliated to LeT. Their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. "They were identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Dar, resident of Haff Shirmal in Shopian. Majid Iqbal Bhat, resident of Malibagh Imamsahab, Shopian was a 'commander' of the outfit," the officials said.
Slain terrorist Ishfaq Ahmad Dar was active since 2017, said police; he was very instrumental in planning and executing attacks on security establishments, civilian killings and misleading the gullible youth by motivating them to join militant folds.
"He was also involved in killing of 4 police personnel at minority guard Zainapora in 2018, killing of two non-local drivers in Chittrigam, Shopian in 2019 besides other activities," the officials stated.
Following the operation, incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 2 AK-47 rifles and 8 Magazines were recovered from the site of encounter, as per the officials.
Meanwhile , police said that acting on a specific information, Budgam Police along with 53RR and 43BN CRPF arrested one local militant linked with LeT and recovered incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including one Chinese pistol, one magazine, 8 live pistol rounds from his possession.
He was identified as Mohd Younis Mir, resident of Choon, Budgam.
Following the questioning of the arrested terrorists, the officials stated that Budgam Police succeeded in busting a module of LeT by arresting 4 terror associates. “Incriminating materials and ammunition including 02 hand grenades were also recovered from their possession.
They were identified as Imran Zahoor Ganie resident of Kulbug Budgam, Umer Farooq Wani, resident of Ompora Budgam, Faizan Qayoom Ganie and Shahnawaz Ahmad Mir, both residents of Choon Budgam,” officials stated.
It was further stated that as per preliminary investigation the arrested terrorists associates were involved in providing shelter, logistics and other material support including transportation of arms and ammunition to the active terrorists of proscribed terror outfit LeT in various areas of Budgam.
However, officials further added that the arrested local and other associates were in touch with Pakistani handlers through various social media platforms and were also in constant touch with local 'commanders' of proscribed terror outfit LeT.
Furthermore, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Budgam and further investigation is in progress.