Anantnag IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Thursday claimed that the Jash-e-Mohammad militants group involved in attack on a police bus at Khrew area in city outskirts on Srinagar-Jammu highway fortnight ago has been neutralized in overnight encounters in south Kashmir districts.
Three policemen were killed and 14 others injured when militants carried out the attack on a bus of armed police with 25 personnel on board it on the evening of December 13.
Six JeM militants and a soldier were killed while two army men and a policemen were injured in the twin gunfights in Mirhama Kulgam and Dooru Anantnag.
“On December 13, there was attack on our police bus and I had shared with you then that jash-e-Mohammad carried out the attack. Entire security forces establishment would be happy to know that this was the group which carried out the attack in which three of our policemen were killed,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Vijay Kumar told reporters here.
“The militants killed in operation include Suhail Ahmad Rather, Mufti Altaf, Illeyas alias Rayeez who was active in south Kashmir since 2017. We had pledged to neutralize this group before the end of this year,” he told reporters while being flanked among others by top army and police officers.
“As far as December month is concerned, 28 militants have been killed and include 5 Pakistani militants. 2 M4 carbine and 15 Ak-47 rifles besides other war like store have been recovered,” he said, adding, “This proofs Pakistan wants to continue violence.
Security forces have inflicted heavy damage to Jash (JeM) this year and outfit’s no 1 and no 2 Lambu and Gazi Yasir have been killed. JeM is still ready to carry attack and we are alert and we will give a befitting reply as security grid is completely ready.”
SSP Anantnag Ashish Mishra told reporters that based on specific information, police, army and CRPF launched search-and-cordon operation in Dooru Annatnag and contact with the militants was established who were hiding in a cowshed in one of the houses. “Due caution was exercised and operation was over this morning. One Of the militants was identified as recycled militant Nisar Ahmad Khanday and other as Mufti Altaf by the name of Peer Altaf Hussain who got active last year,” he said, adding, “Third militant was Pakistani. One M4 rifle along with its 7 magazines have been recovered along with 2 Ak rifles and as many magazines besides a pistol and three grenades.”
GoC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen D P Pandey said that 11 militants were killed in last five days in separate encounters in the Valley. “In fact six of them from JeM were killed since last night alone,” he said, adding, “We have lost brave soldier Sepoy Jasbir Singh.
The operations were carried in heavy-built areas. Two soldiers and policemen suffered bullet injuries and as of now they are stable.” (GNS)
