Srinagar: Top militant commander of Al-Badr outfit, Zeenat ul Islam was killed along with an associate, in a gunfight with the armed forces in Kathora area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district last evening.
The police said that killed militants have been identified as Zeenat-ul-Islam alias Zeenat alais Usman son of Ghulam Hassan Shah resident of Shopian and Shakeel Ahmad Dar son of Abdul Rasheed Dar resident of Chillipora Shopian.
“Both the slain militants were affiliated with proscribed outfit Al-Badr and were wanted by the law for their complicity in a series of crimes including attack on security establishments and ‘civilian atrocities’,” the police said.
During the gunfight, intense clashes had erupted near in Yaripora area of Kulgam district on Saturday. Civilians took to streets and pelted forces with stones near the site of a gunfight. Forces responded by firing tear gas shells, triggering further clashes.
The gunfight had broken out between militants and the armed forces in Katpora village of Yaripora in Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Meanwhile, internet services have been suspended in the area.
A joint team of army’s 50RR, CRPF, and SOG cordoned off the area after having inputs regarding the presence of some militants.
Zeenat-ul-Islam, according to police records, had a long history of crime records since 2006 when he got affiliated with Al-Badr and was later arrested, said the police spokesman.
“However after he was released, he again got recycled in 2016 and subsequently got affiliated with proscribed outfit HM and recently he joined Al-Badr outfit in Shopian District. Consequently he became the chief of the said outfit,” said the Police spokesman.
Several cases were registered against him including FIR No17/2016 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 I A act of PS Zainapora, FIR No 45/2016 under section 147,148,149,307,336,332,188,427 RPC, 7/27 I A act, 3 PPD Act at PS Zainpora, FIR No 02/2017 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 I A act at PS Zainpora, FIR No 10/2017 under section 307 RPC, 7/27 I A act at PS Zainpora, FIR No 26/2017 under section 447,427,506 RPC, 16 ULA (P) Act ,7/25 I A act at PS Zainpora and FIR No 50/2017 under section 7/27 I A act , 16 ULA (P) act at PS Zainpora.
“He was also involved in a weapon snatching case at Tukroo Shopian and case FIR No 319/2016 under section 380 RPC, 7/25 IA Act, 30 Police Act, 3 PEPO is registered at PS Shopian in this regard,” said the Police spokesman.
Similarly, he said, Shakeel Ahmad Dar was also involved in militancy related crimes as well.
“Incriminating material such as arms & ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. All these materials have been taken in the case records for the purpose of investigation.”
The police said that no collateral damage took place during the gunfight.
Bodies of the killed militants were handed over to their families after completion of medico-legal formalities.
