The Resistance Front Commander (TRF), Afaq Sikander, was among five terrorists who were gunned down by the joint team of security forces in twin encounters in Gopalpora and Pombai area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, families of two businessmen Mudasir Gull and Altaf Ahmad Bhat, killed in the Hyderpora encounter, staged protest demonstrations for the second consecutive day in Srinagar demanding their dead bodies. Braving the winter chill, several close relatives accompanied by women and children staged a peaceful demonstration and also held a sit-in candle light protest in the evening in support of their demand.
National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah also sought the intervention of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in handing over the bodies of two civilians killed in the Hyderpora encounter. The bodies were buried by police in Handwara area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara to “avoid any law and order problems”.
In a tweet on its party handle, the NC said its party president and MP Farooq Abdullah has spoken to Sinha and reiterated his demand for an impartial probe into the civilian killings.”He also sought the LG’s intervention in handing over the bodies to their kin,” the party said.
The NC said the Lt Governor has assured Abdullah to look into the demands of the victim families.
In Jammu Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti led a strong protest against the civilian killings and demanded handing over the bodies of those killed to their families.
Sharing details of the twin encounters, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, said two terrorists were killed in the Gopalpora encounter on Wednesday. One of the slain terrorists has been identified as terrorist Commander of proscribed terror outfit TRF, Afaq Sikander, he added.
“In the second encounter in Pombai area, the joint team of security forces eliminated three terrorists’’, tweeted Kashmir Zone Police
Earlier, a major tragedy was averted by the security forces by timely recovering ready to use IED’s.
According to police, “Two LeT terrorist associates namely Amir Bashir & Mukhtar Bhat were arrested by Pulwama Police and security forces during joint naka checking. Two ready to use IEDs were recovered from their possession. Investigation in progress”.