Police said a Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) operative was killed and three militants managed to escape during a fierce gun battle with security forces in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir early on Saturday. However, the residents claim the slain person was a “civilian.”
The residents of the area held protest demonstrations, observed a shutdown and raised anti-police slogans claiming that the man killed in the encounter was a “civilian” and demanding action against the security personnel involved.
On specific information about the arrival of three to four militants led by ‘district commander’ of LeT Salman in village Gujjar Mohalla in Keshwan belt of Kishtwar district, Special Task force (STF) assisted by army launched a cordon operation in the area late last night, Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, Haseeb Moghal told PTI.
The group of militants, including Salman, threw grenades and fired on the security personnel when they asked them to surrender at around 01:00 hours today, he said.
“The operation party fired back triggering a fierce exchange and resulting to the death of LeT operative Shafi Gujjar, who was a guide, courier and overground worker of LeT and uncle of ‘district commander’ Salman,” Mr. Moghal said.
The militants, including Salman, escaped during the encounter, he said adding that the body of Gujjar was recovered this morning and later identified by the locals.
From the spot, a pistol, a magazine, one Chinese grenade and four detonators were recovered.
Local residents held protests, took out a rally and observed a shutdown in Kehswan belt against the killing of the “civilian”, the SP said adding, they demanded a probe and action against STF personnel involved in the encounter.
The SP said that a team of the officers has been sent to the area to defuse the situation and the situation is under control.
