One Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant was killed in a joint operation of the police and the Army in Anantnag’s Kokernag area on Friday. One civilian also suffered bullet injuries.
A police spokesman said the militant was killed at the Vailoo area of Kokernag. “A huge quantity of ammunition and incriminating material has been seized from the site of the encounter,” said the spokesman.
The police said the slain militant was affiliated to JeM and “was involved in several attacks on security forces and civilians in the area.”
“The slain militant is a Pakistani,” said the spokesman.
The gunfight in the area erupted soon after the joint search party of the Army and the police cordoned off Vailoo area. The hiding militant fired upon the search party, said the police.
Initial reports suggest at least three militants were trapped at the encounter site. “The firing has stopped for a while. The operation is on,” said the police.
The area also witnessed clashes between security forces and locals during the operation. One civilian, identified as Yawar Ahmad Chopan, was hit in the head by a bullet. The injured civilian is “stable”, said hospital sources.
The authorities have snapped Internet services in the area.
Meanwhile, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) on Friday condemned the murder of Tariq Ahmad in Kunzer, Tangmarg, by known gunmen on Wednesday.
“Our fighters have not murdered the man. Killing a worshipper is the vilest form of terrorism,” said the LeT’s spokesman.
However, the police said the LeT’s claim is “a malicious propaganda.”
“Yusuf Kandro of the LeT is wanted by law for the crime,” said the spokesman.
