STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: One Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Baramulla district on Sunday, police said.
The terrorist was identified as Irshad Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Baramulla’s Pattan, they said.
The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Binner area of the district on Saturday evening on the basis of information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.
He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorist opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated.
One terrorist was killed in the exchange of firing, he added.
“Killed #terrorist has been identified as Irshad Ahmd Bhat of Pattan #Baramulla, active since 5/2022 & linked with proscribed #terror outfit LeT. 01 AK rifle, 2 magazines & 30 rounds recovered,” the Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.
As per police records, the killed terrorist was active since May 2022. Before joining terrorist ranks, he was working as a terrorist associate of proscribed terror outfit HM along with his father who was a terrorist commander of terror outfit HM and got killed 2015 at Devbug. Irshad was involved in several terror crime cases including attack on two civilians Abdul Rehman Wani and Aftab Ahmad Bhat, both residents of Gundari Pora Baramulla at their native village on August 11, 2016 in which both received critical gunshot injuries. He was also involved in killing of a civilian namely Zakir Hussain Bado of Mahmood Pora at Wailoo Baramulla on Novemewber 9, 2016.
Neutralized Irshad was arrested by security forces in 2017 along with arms and ammunition. After a period of at least 5 years he was released on bail by a Court in April 2022 but he did not refrain from his activities and formally joined terrorist ranks in May 2022.
In this regard, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.
Pertinently, it is the second consecutive successful operation in Baramulla district in past 24 hours. Yesterday, one terrorist was killed in an operation at Wanigam Bla area of Baramulla. Moreover in Bandipora, Police along with Army (26 Assam Rifles) arrested a hybrid terrorist of proscribed terror outfit LeT identified as Faisal Gulzar son of Gulzar Ahmad resident of Hillar Arhama Anantnag who was missing since 17/07/2022. Incriminating material, arms & ammunition including one pistol was recovered from his possession. In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigation has been initiated.