The Jammu and Kashmir police Friday claimed the attack on a BJP leader Mohd Anwar Khan in Nowgam area of Srinagar was jointly executed by the two Pakistan based terrorist outfits Lashkar-e- Tayyebba and Al Badr.
The police also claimed two out of three terrorists killed in a fierce gunfight in South Kashmir's Pulwama district on Friday were involved in a daring strike in which a police constable Rameez Ahmad Itoo made a supreme sacrifice ahead of his marriage ceremony.
Meanwhile, some miscreants resorted to stone pelting on security forces and the crowd were dispersed by using non-lethal weapons in which a few miscreants received minor injuries.
Following the attack security cover extended to the political leaders across Kashmir valley was also reviewed thoroughly and wherever it needed beef up it was taken up to prevent any fresh strike.
Addressing a press conference at PCR Srinagar, the IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, out of three terrorists killed in the Pulwama encounter two of them were part of the group behind the attack on the house of a BJP leader in Nowgam. IGP said, "Soon after the attack on BJP leader in Nowgam area Srinagar Police shared a lead with Pulwama Police regarding presence of terrorists in Larve Pulwama ''. IGP said, " Pulwama Police further developed the specific intelligence regarding presence of terrorists in a residential house belonging to Nawaz Ahmad Dar in village Dhobi Mohalla area of Kakapora. Accordingly, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 50RR and 183Bn CRPF in the said area".
IGP said, during the search operation, as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated leading to an encounter. "The joint party also tactfully rescued five civilians who were made hostages by the trapped terrorists", he added. During the encounter, a stray bullet hit a woman in her leg and was immediately removed to hospital for treatment where her condition is stated to be stable.
In the ensuing encounter, three terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Junaid Ahmad Nengroo resident of Prichoo Pulwama, Suhail Nisar Lone and Yawar Ahmad Wani both residents of Khrew Pampore, affiliated with proscribed terror outfits Al-Badr/LeT. IGP said the Burqa clad terrorist has been identified as Suhail Nisar Lone.
Sharing further details, IGP said, "Terrorists Suhail Nisar and Junaid Ahmad used an Alto-800 vehicle bearing registration number JK13E-2098 to commute from Nowgam to Pulwama which belongs to the house owner where the encounter took place".
Meanwhile, the SLR rifle snatched from the martyred policeman yesterday at Nowgam was also recovered from the encounter site and the recovery of the rifle corroborates the involvement of the killed terrorists in the said attack, he added.
Referring to the security review of the politicians security cover IGP said, there have been enough deliberations on reviewing the security cover of politicians including those facing threats.Our men deployed for the protection of VIPs, other politicians will get fresh training sessions, new SoPs and advisories. I assure you that if there is any bid from terrorists to target politicians, that will be foiled,” the IGP said in reply to a question.
In a separate statement, a police spokesman said, "Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition including 01 AK-47 rifle, 01 SLR rifle and 01 pistol were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.
"The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites", the police spokesman added.