A top commander of the pro-Pakistan Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist outfit along with his accomplice was gunned down during the night long operation by the joint team of security forces in South Kashmir district of Shopian early Monday morning.
The gunned down terrorists have been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rashid Dar resident of Heff Shirmal Shopian and Majid Iqbal Bhat son of Mohammad Iqbal Bhat resident of Malibagh Imamsahab, Shopian.
The security forces have so far gunned down 80 terrorists since January 1, 2021 across Kashmir valley.
According to a police spokesman, "the LeT Commander was active since 2017 and had also figured among the list of most wanted terrorists in the area. Besides being part of groups involved in several terror crime cases, he was very instrumental in planning and executing terror attacks on security establishments, civilian killings and misleading the gullible youth by motivating them to join terrorist folds. He was also involved in killing of 04 police personnel at minority guard Zainapora on 11/12/2018, killing of two non-local drivers in Chitragam Shopian on 24/10/2019". In addition, two locals identified as Asif Lone resident of Khudwani Kulgam & Ab Rashid Thoker resident of Hussanpora Arwani had joined the terrorist ranks after he managed to coerce them to take up arms.
Security forces also recovered incriminating material, arms and ammunition including 2 AK-47 rifles and 08 Magazines from the site of encounter.
Meanwhile, Budgam police Monday busted a separate terror module of proscribed terror outfit LeT by arresting a local terrorist along with four associates. Incriminating material including arms and ammunition have been recovered from their possession.
According to a police spokesman, Budgam Police along with 53RR and 43BN CRPF arrested one local terrorist linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT and recovered incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including one Chinese pistol, one magazine, 08 live pistol rounds from his possession. He has been identified as Mohd Younis Mir resident of Choon Budgam.
Upon questioning of the said terrorist, Budgam Police succeeded in busting a terror module of proscribed terror outfit LeT by arresting 04 terror associates. Security forces also recovered 02 hand grenades from their possession. They have been 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.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested terrorist 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.
In view of the prevailing security situation across the Union Territory, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh Monday chaired a high level joint security meeting at Police Headquarters Jammu to take stock of the situation.
The DGP stressed upon the officers to ensure high alertness, especially in the border areas and hinterland to check any infiltration attempt. The DGP said that terror outfits are continuously attempting to use drones for terrorist activities and stressed upon the officers to remain extra vigilant and alert so that their evil attempts are foiled. He also stressed on strengthening of Police Posts and Nakas in border areas.
While reviewing the security situation on the highway grid the DGP directed the officers to intensify the Naka checking on the highway and plug the gaps with strict security measures so that no room is given to the enemies of peace. The DGP also stressed on strengthening of the city security grids.
ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh, IG CRPF Jammu, Padamakar, IG BSF Jammu, N.S Jamwal, BGS 16 Corp, Arvind Chouhan, DIG, JKS Range, Atul Goel, representative of 26 infantry division Col. G.S Vijay Dalal, SSP Jammu Chandan Kohli, attended the meeting at PHQ and Spl. DG CID J&K, R.R Swain, Range DIsG and district SSsP of Jammu Zone and Commandants of CAPFs/Armed Battalions attended the meeting through video conferencing.
The DGP after obtaining the district assessments of prevailing security situation and arising challenges, directed the officers to strengthen and augment the security grids in their respective areas for the safety and security of the people.
The DGP said that the action against terrorists should be continued and all the suspicious elements should be kept under check so as to foil their ill designs aimed at disrupting normal lives of the people. He also directed the officers to keep special focus on measures to check the narcotic trafficking, adding that it is being used by the inimical elements to fund terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.