Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday said the militant killed in a gunfight with the armed forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district last evening was affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) group.
Giving details, a police spokesman said that a cordon & search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces in Panduchan area of district following a credible input about the presence of militants.
“During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the initial exchange of fire one army soldier identified as Sepoy Rambir Singh of 34 RR sustained gunshot injuries who was evacuated to hospital for treatment however he succumbed to his injuries,” said the spokesman.
In the ensuing gunfight, so far body of one militant has been retrieved from the site, he said, adding that the slain has been identified as Zeenat ul Islam Naikoo resident of Memandar Shopian.
Zeenat, as per the police records, was affiliated with proscribed outfit JeM and was wanted by law for his complicity in series of crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities, he said.
According to the police records, he was part of groups involved in planning & executing series of attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities.
The body of the slain militant has been handed over to the family members after completion of medico-legal formalities. “Incriminating material including arms & ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Search in the area is still in progress,” he added further.
