June 20:`Apropos to our earlier press note regarding ongoing anti-terrorist operations across Kashmir, it is further informed that 02 more terrorists were eliminated in Kupwara encounter taking the toll to 4. Besides, 01 terrorist was eliminated in another anti-terrorist operation in Pulwama.
Yesterday, 02 Pakistani terrorists were neutralized in Chandigam Lolab area of Kupwara while as 02 more terrorists were killed today taking the toll to four. The killed terrorists include 03 Pakistani terrorists identified as Bambar Khan, Al-Bakash, Aftab Bhai of proscribed terror outfit LeT and a local terrorist Showket Ahmad Sheikh resident of Sedow Shopian on whose disclosure the said operation was conducted. It is pertinent to mention that terrorist Showket was mastermind behind an IED blast in a private vehicle at Sedow Shopian in which one soldier was martyred and other injured. During his interrogation it was revealed that he used to ferry terrorists and Arms/Ammunition from Lolab to Shopian. Kupwara Police got his custody changed by the order of Hon’ble Court and arrested in one terror related case. During his interrogation in Kupwara he revealed several sensitive information related to terrorists operating in Lolab valley of Kupwara. On his disclosure, an operation was launched and he also got trapped in initial ensuing encounter in which one foreign terrorist was neutralised. Several attempts were made to rescue him but he also got neutralised in firing of terrorists. Later on two more foreign terrorists got neutralised.
Incriminating materials, arms/ammunition including 02 AK-series rifles, 06 AK Magazines, 01 M-4 rifle along with 01 Magazine and 03 live grenades were recovered from their possession.
Moreover in Pulwama, on a specific regarding presence of terrorist in village Chatpora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army (55RR) and CRPF (182Bn) in the said area. As the joint party proceeded towards the suspected spot the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively by the joint forces leading to an encounter.
In the ensuing encounter, one terrorist was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. He has been identified as Suhail Ahmad Khan son of Gh Mohi-ud-din Khan resident of Maidan Chogal Handwara and linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT. As per police records, the killed terrorist was involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/security forces and other civilian atrocities.
Incriminating materials, arms/ammunition has been recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.
IGP Kashmir Shri Vijay Kumar congratulated the joint teams for carrying out anti-terrorist operations in professional manner without any collateral damage. He also termed the elimination of 7 terrorists in less than 24hrs as a big success taking the toll of total killed terrorists to 114 including 32 foreigners so far in this year.
Regarding all these incidents, Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with Police till the areas are completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any.```