Security forces shot dead a terrorist during a brief encounter in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday. Clashes erupted in the southern area after the encounter and the authorities halted train services as a precautionary measure.
Sources said the slain terrorist, Ishfaq Yousuf Wani, had joined the terror ranks last year abandoning his fruit business. Before starting his own business he had quit job with a leading national bank.
Police said that on the basis of credible input about the presence of militants a cordon and search operation was launched in Banderpora village in Awantipora area of Pulwama district, 30 kilometers from here.
“As the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the terrorists. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight. In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was neutralised,” a police spokesman said.
Wani was wanted by the law for his complicity in a series of terror crimes including attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities.
Sourced said that Ishfaq’s father was a militant and had been killed in an encounter with security forces in 1996. Ishfaq had pursued masters in management before joining a leading bank. The reasons for his joining militancy were not known.
Clashes erupted in Wani’s Koil village after his body was handed over to his family for last rites. The authorities suspended train services in the area after the clashes.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Ranbir Singh arrived in Kashmir Valley to review the prevailing security situation. A defence spokesman said that the Army Commander visited the forward areas in frontier districts of Kupwara and Baramulla where he was briefed by the commanders on ground on operational preparedness. He also visited the hinterland formations for feedback on current situation and recent counter terrorist operations.
Gen Singh was accompanied by the XV Corps Commander Lt Gen AK Bhatt.