Imran Bashir Ganai, a ' hybrid terrorist' belonging to the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba outfit, responsible for lobbing a grenade that led to the deaths of two migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh, was killed during an anti-terrorist operation launched by the security forces in the early hours of Wednesday in Nowgam orchards of Shopian. The operation was launched based on the preliminary investigation with the sole objective to track down the footprints of other terrorists behind the targeted killing of migrant labourers.
However, the two mainstream regional political parties in the Kashmir Valley have triggered a fresh controversy by raising questions over the manner in which the 'hybrid terrorist' was killed. Both the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party have demanded a thorough probe into the matter.
Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti first of all tweeted, "Using dubious nomenclature — hybrid militant & chance encounters to justify civilian killings has become the norm in Kashmir. Imran Ganai arrested by the police & then killed in their custody allegedly by another militant defies logic & deserves a thorough investigation".
On the other hand, JKNC MP Hasnain Masoodi also demanded an independent and impartial probe into the killing of Imran Bashir Ganai. He said civilian killings call for outright condemnation and cannot be condoned on any ground whatsoever.
Meanwhile, police spokesman in a written statement claimed, "within hours of the killing of two migrant labourers in a grenade blast in Herman area of Shopian, one hybrid terrorist linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT identified as Imran Bashir Ganai of Hermain Shopian alongwith his accomplice was promptly arrested".
"Various joint raids along with security forces were launched on the basis of disclosures made by the accused about terrorists and their hideouts. In one of the raids on hideout at Dongri Nala near Landoora bridge, where although contact was established with the hiding terrorists but they managed to escape from the spot after initial fire" police spokesman said.
"Following his disclosure another raid was conducted in Nowgam orchards of Shopian where he had earlier met with other terrorists responsible in his recruitment in terror ranks besides providing a grenade to him, a joint anti-terrorist operation was launched in the said area in the midnight at about 2.30 AM after the accused agreed to show the exact place of hideout in the orchards".
“During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired upon the joint search party, in which the arrested hybrid terrorist who was accompanying and leading the search party for identifying the place got injured. He was shifted to hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Taking advantage of the darkness, terrorists managed to escape from the spot, police spokesman added.