3 ‘Militants’ Killed Hokersar Gunfight: Police

Says Slain Were Not On Its List of ‘Militants’ But 2 Of Them Were ‘OGWs’ While 3rd One ‘Might’ Had Joint recently

Srinagar, Dec 30: Police on Wednesday said three “militants” were killed in a gunfight in Hokersar area in outskirts of Srinagar and none of them were on its list of “(militants, yet two of them were hardcore associates (OGWs) of (militants) while third one might have joined very recently.”

“On 29-12-2020, at about 05:30 PM troops of 02RR launched a Cordon and Search Operation on a specific input near Hokersar where the (militants) hurled grenade on the searching party and fired indiscriminately on troops while laying cordon,” a police spokesperson said.

“On receipt of this information Srinagar police immediately along with Police Component Srinagar and Valley QAT CRPF rushed to the spot,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Search party of 02 RR was heavily fired upon by the (militants) hiding inside the building which was retaliated.”

Repeated announcements were made to the hiding militants to lay down their “illegal weapons” and surrender but instead they fired continuously upon the searching party, the spokesman said further in the statement issued to GNS.

“Due to darkness, the operation was suspended. However the cordon remained intact throughout night,” the spokesman said, adding, “On 30th morning with the first light repeated announcements were again made to hiding (militants) to surrender but the (militants) fired indiscriminately on security forces which was retaliated again, resulting in elimination of (militants).”
The operation ended over at 11:30hrs in which all the three “hiding militants” were killed.

“Upon their search, arms (One AK 47 rifle & two pistols) and ammunition and other incriminating material along with some documents were recovered,” the spokesman said.
From the “recoveries”, the spokesman said, their identity has been established as Ajaz Maqbool Ganie, Ather Mushtaq both residents of Pulwama and Zubair Lone resident of Shopian.

“Some families from South Kashmir came to PCR and claimed them to be their wards. They (were) sent to Ganderbal for further identification and participation in last rites in the presence of Magistrate.)”
In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.

“It is pertinent to mention that a few (militant) incidents have occurred in this area recently and reportedly these (militants) have also came from South Kashmir to target convey of security forces,” the spokesman said, adding, “Although the three killed (militants) in today’s encounter were not mentioned in our list of (militants), yet two of them are hardcore associates (OGWs) of (militants).” Pertinently, the spokesman said, one of the two was relative of top HM (Hizb) commander Rayees Kachroo who was killed in 2017.

“Reportedly, third might have joined very recently,” the spokesman said, adding, “Generally parents don’t have idea about the activities of their wards. Several OGWs after committing (militant) crimes like grenade throwing and pistol shooting etc stay normally with their family.”
For instance, the spokesman said, “one student from Pulwama who was taking coaching in Srinagar was caught for lobbying a grenade with the help of CCTV’s footage. His parents were totally unaware about his (militant) activities.”
However, the spokesman said that “Police is investigating the case and after thorough investigation will come to the conclusion soon on merits.”

“It is pertinent to mention here that the trio killed in today’s encounter were given ample opportunity to surrender both yesterday evening and today morning but they didn’t surrender and instead fired and lobbed grenades on search party.”

IGP Kashmir, the spokesman said, has requested the parents to keep close watch of their wards and keep strict vigil about their day to day activities to ensure that they may not indulge in any subversive or militant activities. (GNS)