3 militants behind killing of trainee cop gunned down in south Kashmir’s Kulgam

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar,  July 22

At least three militants behind the abduction and killing of a trainee constable were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, the police said.

The gunfight erupted at Wani Mohallah, Khudwani, some 65 km from Srinagar, when joint teams of the police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation in the area after an input about militant presence.

“The CASO (cordon and search operation) turned into an encounter when hiding militants opened fire at around 5.30 am, injuring one Army jawan. In the gunfight that followed, all three militants were killed,” a police officer said. “We have recovered two AK rifles and a carbine.”

The three slain militants have been identified as Muawiya, a Pakistan-origin foreigner, Suhail Ahmad Dar of Redwani Balaa and Mudassar, alias Rehaan, of Katarsoo.

Police said the trio was involved in the abduction and killing of the cop in the district on Saturday.

“Terrorists involved in the abduction and killing of Constable Saleem yesterday have been killed in an encounter at #Khudwani Kulgam. Search continues,” J&K Police tweeted after the gunfight.

A policeman, Mohammad Saleem Shah of Mutalhama Kulgam, was killed by militants after he was abducted from his house. His body was recovered from a nursery village, Redwani Payeen, yesterday afternoon. Police had said the body bore severe torture marks.

Late on Saturday, militant group Hizbul Mujahideen had released a “confessional statement” of the cop. (With inputs from Suhail A Shah in Anantnag)