Top JeM Commander among 05 terrorists killed in twin encounters

During the past 12 hours two successful anti-terrorist operations were conducted by Police and security forces in Pulwama and Budgam districts resulting in elimination of 05 terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfits JeM/LeT. The killed terrorists include a top JeM commander Zahid Wani and a foreign Pakistani terrorist Kafeel Bhai @Chotu.

In Pulwama, acting on specific information regarding presence of terrorists in village Naira, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 55RR and 182/183Bn CRPF in the said area. While laying down the cordon of the suspected spot, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately on the joint search parties. However, due to darkness and to ensure safety of the civilians trapped inside the cordon area, the joint parties exercised maximum restraint.

After evacuation of the civilians to the safer places, the fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, 04 terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Zahid Ahmad Wani @Uzair (a top commander) resident of Karimabad Pulwama, foreign terrorist Kafeel Bhari @Chotu resident of Pakistan, Waheed Ahmad Reshi resident of Khadermoh Kakapora and Inayat Ahmad Mir resident of Naira Pulwama.

As per police records, the killed terrorists were linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM and were part of group involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities. The killed terrorist Zahid Wani was a categorized terrorist active since May-2017 and involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.  He was involved in an attack on patrolling party of 44RR at Below Rajpora, attack on patrolling party of 55RR at Tiken Pulwama, attack on patrolling party of 50RR at Parigam, grenade attack on PS Pulwama and firing upon CRPF camp at Rajpora. Besides, he was also involved in killing of one civilian Azad Ahmad Dar of Kangan Pulwama. Moreover, terrorist Zahid Wani was also instrumental in motivating the gullible youth to join terror folds and other criminal activities.

It is pertinent to mention that the killed terrorist Zahid Wani was one of the masterminds behind various IED attacks. The killed foreign terrorist Kafeel Bhai was operating in the Pulwama and Shopian belts and involved in a series of terror crime cases. The killed terrorist Waheed Ahmad was active since 2021 while as Inayat Ahmad had joined terror folds recently.

Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including 01 M4 rifle, 02 AK series rifles and 02 Pistols have been recovered from the site of encounter.

Meanwhile, another anti-terrorist operation was launched in village Chahr-e-Sharif area of Budgam by Police, 53RR and 181Bn CRPF. As the joint search parties were approaching towards suspected spot, the hiding terrorist started firing indiscriminately on the search parties which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, the hiding terrorist identified as Bilal Ahmad Khan resident of Chill Brass Khansahab was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter. As per police records, he was a categorized terrorist and linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF) and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases.

Incriminating materials, arms ammunition including 01 AK-56 rifle, 02 AK Magazines and 05 AK rounds have been recovered from the site of encounter.

IGP Kashmir while addressing a joint press conference at Army Headquarters Balpora, termed the elimination of most wanted terrorists as a big success and congratulated the joint forces for conducting successful anti-terrorist operations without any collateral damage. He also said that, during the current year, so far 21 terrorists including 8 foreign terrorists have been neutralized in 11 anti-terrorist operations and 13 terrorists among them were linked with proscribed terror outfit JeM.

Police have registered cases under relevant sections of law regarding both the encounters and further investigation is in progress.