Srinagar: Police on Friday said that three militants were killed in a gunfight in Nagnad-Chimmer village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Police in a statement said that on a specific input generated by Kulgam Police regarding presence of militants in village Nagnad-Chimmer area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by JKP, 9RR and 18Bn CRPF in the said area.
During the search operation, as the presence of militants got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to a gunfight, the statement reads.
In the ensuing gunfight, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of the gunfight. One of the killed militants has been identified as a Pakistani national, Walid, an IED expert, and a most-wanted militant. However, the identification of the other two slain militants is being ascertained, Police said, adding that slain militants were affiliated with JeM outfit.
According to the police statement, Walid was involved in several militant attacks including “civilian atrocities”. He was complicit in the “killing of four civilians in Kulgam”. He was also involved in luring innocent youth to join militant ranks, Police said.
The statement said that arms and ammunition including M-4 rifle, AK rifle, Pistol, Grenade Launcher, Grenades, and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of the gunfight. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other crimes.
The dead bodies of the slain militants shall be sent to Handwara for their last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including the collection of their DNA. In case any family claims the killed militant to be their kith or kin, they can come forward for their identification and participation in last rites at Handwar, police said.
In this connection, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station D.H Pora and investigation has been initiated.
Police added that people are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosive materials if any.
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