An active member of the 'hit squad' of pro-Pakistan terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was gunned down by the joint team of security forces along with his associate in Khrew area of Pampore in Awantipora on Friday.
The slain ultras have been identified as Musaib Ahmad Bhat resident of Khrew Pampore and Muzamil Ahmad Rather resident of Chakoora Pulwama.
According to a police spokesman, "the killed terrorist Musaib Mushtaq was a member of the 'hit squad' of Hizbul Mujahideen". He was also involved in killing of a civilian Javid Ahmad Malik (Peon) at Lurgam area of Tral.
The police spokesman said, Mushtaq was also involved in planning and executing several terror attacks and civilian killings in South Kashmir. However, another killed terrorist Muzamil Ahmad had joined terrorist ranks recently.
So far close to 100 terrorists, around fifty percent from Lashkar-e-Taiba have been neutralised by the security forces in different encounters since January 2021. According to police 55 were from Lashkar-e-Taiba, 22 from Hizbul Mujahideen, eight from Jaish-e-Mohammad, seven from Al Badr, three from Ansar Ghazwat-ul Hind and two from the ISJK. According to police records, more than 75 local youth have joined ranks of different terror outfits this year.
According to a police spokesman the operation was launched in the khrew area of Pampore past midnight on receipt of the human intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area.
Defence PRO in Srinagar Col Emron Musavi said, "the search party drew heavy volume of fire from terrorists hiding in the village at around 2.40 a.m. The security forces swiftly isolated the house, ensuring that other innocent civilians were not caught in the cross fire".
The Defence spokesman said, "the terrorists were asked to surrender time and again, but refused. Intermittent exchange of fire continued throughout the night. At around 6:30 a.m, one terrorist tried to escape from the house, by firing on the troops, but wasneutralised.
The second terrorist continued to fire from the house but was contained in the house by the troops on ground. the second terrorist was also neutralised around 9.15 a.m".
The security forces also recovered arms & ammunition including 01 AK-rifle and 01 pistol from the site of encounter.