Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were killed and five policemen injured during a brief encounter in Srinagar, the police said on Tuesday. One of the terrorists, Abdullah Goujri, hailed from Faisalabad in Pakistan. The other militant, Adil Hussain Mir, was a resident of Anantnag district. Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Police (IGP), said these militants were sent from Pakistan to launch attacks during Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to start on June 30.

The encounter took place late on Monday evening after the militants were intercepted by the police at a checkpoint at Bemina locality in Srinagar. A police spokesperson said that security men, acting on specific information about the movement of militants who had earlier escaped from an encounter in Sopore, established a checkpoint near Jhelum Valley College, Bemina. “At the checkpoint, the two suspects were challenged by the police. They started indiscriminate firing which was effectively retaliated, leading to a brief encounter,” the police said.

In the initial exchange of fire, five police personnel received minor injuries and were taken to a hospital. Their condition is stated to be stable.

According to the police, Adil Hussain Mir had crossed over to Pakistan on a visa from Wagah border for arms training in 2018.

IGP Vijay Kumar said Pakistan-based militant handlers had sent two Pakistani terrorists along with Mir to carry out attacks during the annual Amarnath Yatra. All three have been killed in two separate encounters. One of them, Hanzalla of Lahore, was killed in Sopore on June 6. Kumar appreciated the role of the police in tracking and neutralising the militants who were being searched by security forces. He said the prompt and timely action by the police averted possibly a major threat.

The police said arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, were seized from the encounter site.

Meanwhile, another encounter broke out in Kulgam. The gunfight took place in Mishipora, a police official said. The exchange of fire was going on, he said, adding there was no report of any casualty on the either side.

Big success: IGP

• Terming the killing of terrorists a big success, IGP Vijay Kumar says a threat to Amarnath Yatra has been averted.
• He says three terrorists were sent from Pakistan for attacks on pilgrims and all have been killed in separate encounters.

Doda Man held for terror funding

• The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad has arrested a man from Doda in a case of recruitment of operatives for Lashkar-e-Toiba.
• The suspect allegedly transferred funds into the accounts of one Junaid Mohammad, arrested by the ATS on May 24.

Courtesy: The Tribune India :14th June , 2022