2 Hizb militants killed while trying to ambush police party

27/03/2017

Srinagar, Mar 26: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were today killed when they tried to ambush a police party that included three officers of the rank of superintendent of police in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
The incident took place at Padgampura, an area located on the border of Awantipura and Pulwama districts in south Kashmir, 35 kms from here, when militants came from behind and started firing indiscriminately at the convoy of the officers, the police said.
The last vehicle was that of 32-year-old Chandan Kholi, posted as additional superintendent of police in militancy-hit Pulwama district, which bore the brunt of the attack.
Kholi, along with his guards, who were swiftly supported by senior superintendents of police of Awantipora and Pulwama Zahid Malik and Rayees Mohammed Bhat respectively, neutralised the two militants, they said.
The driver of the car, in which the two militants were travelling, escaped after the encounter broke out, the police said, adding a hunt has been launched to nab him to ascertain whether he was kidnapped or was part of an overground network of the militant group.
The top police officers of the district were returning after a meeting with the chief election officer in connection with the forthcoming by-polls to two Lok Sabha seats of Anantnag and Srinagar.
The police have seized two weapons, including a looted self-loading rifle (SLR), besides a hand grenade and some ammunition, Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kashmir) S Pani said here.
The Padgampora area has witnessed several encounters in the past and is believed to be infested by militants associated with banned outfits such as the Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Pani, a seasoned police officer who has done credible work in controlling militancy in Shopian and Kulgam districts, lauded the role of the police personnel who quickly neutralised the two terrorists.
One of the slain militants has been identified as Shahbaz Safi Wani alias Rayees Kachru, who was active in the area since June, 2016.
Wani was involved in an attack on a security picket outside a minority camp at Tumlahall in Pulwama district, besides snatching two SLRs along with magazines, officials said.
The other one is a "recycled" militant, Farooq Ahmed Hurrah from Shopian, who had surrendered in 2010 and was out on parole.
On March 9, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed in an encounter at Padgampora. A civilian was also killed in the incident.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, S J M Gillani said, "According to our officers at the spot, perhaps one militant managed to escape."
Meanwhile, In yet another case of policemen being threatened in the Valley, militants barged into the house of a sub-inspector last night in Budgam district, took his son and a nephew hostage, ransacked the house and later set a car ablaze.
The militants drove away in the car with the two boys but later let them off and set the vehicle on fire, police said.
The incident came barely three weeks after militants had barged into the house of a senior police officer in Shopian in South Kashmir and ransacked his house, sending shockwaves among police officers fighting militancy for last 26 years.
The militants entered the house of Sub Inspector M Subhan Bhat and started ransacking his house in Chadoora area of the district in central Kashmir, official sources said, adding that they later took his son and a nephew as hostage and drove away in the car.
According to police sources, the militants said they wanted to kill the officer, who is currently posted at the Baramulla district jail where militant-turned separatist leader Masarat Alam is lodged.
The militants threatened the two boys and fired several rounds in air before setting the car ablaze, they said.
Director General of Police S P Vaid said that stern action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.
"It's the most unfortunate incident to have happened. The terrorists are feeling the heat and stooping so low. Our humane approach should not be seen as our weakness. I will ensure welfare of every personnel in my force and such incidents will be dealt with an iron hand," he said.
Police has launched a manhunt to nab the people after gathering information about the militants from the kins and neighbours.
Director General of Prisons S K Mishra tthat he has called for a review meeting tomorrow to ascertain the safety of his personnel and their families guarding various jails in the state.

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