Srinagar (NVI): Three militants killed today in an overnight encounter with security forces in Srinagar outskirts were planning something big near the Srinagar-Jammu highway as they had no intentions to surrender and used multiple grenades, which showed they were in possession of war-like stores, a senior Army officer said today.
While addressing a press conference after the encounter, Major General HS Sahi (General Officer Commanding, Kilo Force) said that the security forces were continuously getting inputs that militants are planning something big in the area.
“All security agencies were building up intelligence and yesterday when we got an input, then that building was cordoned and terrorists were appealed to surrender. After appealing for a long time, one terrorist tried to come out of the building. But while he was coming out, his accomplices opened fire on security forces and lobbed grenades. They called him back,” Maj Gen Sahi said.
“After the night, we suspended the operation and kept the cordon intact. At the break of the dawn, we again appealed to them for surrender but whenever we made appeals, they either launched fire or lobbed grenades on forces.
“This shows that they had no intentions to surrender and the arms and ammunition that they used whole night against security forces, indicates that they had plans for a big terror activity near the national highway,” he said, adding that the three militants were finally killed in the exchange of fire with security forces.
The gunfight which started in Srinagar outskirts yesterday ended with the killing of 3 local militants from south Kashmir today at around 11 am.
Security forces including soldiers from 2 Rashtriya Rifles had cordoned off Hokersar area of Srinagar outskirts after receiving input about the presence of militants.
A police spokesman identified the slain militants as Ajaz Maqbool Ganie alias Talha Bhai of Putrigam, Pulwama, Zubair Ahmad Lone alias Zaid Bhai of Turkawangam, Shopian and Athar Mushtaq Wani alias Abu Baker, a resident of Below in Pulwama.
All these militants were affiliated with militant outfit Al-Badr.
The spokesperson said that besides a pistol, an AK-47 rifle and a magazine were recovered from the spot of encounter.
Kashmir capital Srinagar has witnessed multiple encounters this year, leading to the killing some top militant commanders including Dr Saifullah and Junaid Sehrai-the son of Hurriyat Chairman Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai.
-ARK/CHK
