Three Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists, including nephew of its Pakistan-based chief Masood Azhar, were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Tral subdistrict of south Kashmir while eight personnel including an officer were wounded in an accidental blast in the forest area of Nagranad area of Zachaldara Rajwar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Tuesday, officials said.
Sources said that one of the slain terrorists identified as Usman Hyder was 'deputy chief' of the Sniper Squad, of the outfit, that carried out several target killings in the valley recently. Hyder is said to be nephew of Masood Azhar who was one among three terrorists exchanged for the release of passengers of Indian Airlines at Kandahar. Azhar later founded Jaish outfit that has recently been organised in Kashmir.
Security sources said that forces cordoned off a residential house in Chan Kitar village of Tral subdistrict in south Kashmir after receiving input on presence of terrorists there.
As the joint team of forces zeroed in on the suspected spot the hiding terrorists fired upon the forces triggering an encounter.
Reports of heavy clashes outside gunfight site area were received with local youths attempted to disrupt counter terrorist operation in the area.
Security sources confirmed that one among the slain terrorists in Tral encounter is the nephew of Jaish Chief Moulana Masood Azhar. The slain is son of Moulana's elder brother Ameer Mukhtar.
Another slain is also Pakistani Jaish e Muhammad terrorist and third one is local cadre.
In another incident, a grenade exploded accidentally while army officer was demonstrating to the soldiers during training session in a forested area in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
The army personnel group was in the Rajwar forest area for on spot training in relation to the counter terrorist operations in the forest areas.
All the injured personnel were shifted to Drugmulla Military Hospital in Baramulla district where from two grievously injured including Major rank officer were shifted to 92 Base Hospital Srinagar for specialised treatment.
Security sources said unknown terrorists opened fire upon former Congress District President Mohammad Shafi Banday at Bonabazar area of Shopian town and fled away from the scene.
