3 ultras killed in Budgam affiliated to Al-Badr: Police

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 22

The three local militants killed in Budgam gunfight on Monday were affiliated with the Al-Badr outfit.

In a daylong gunfight that erupted on Monday morning at Hapatnar in Charar-i-Sharief, nearly 40 km from Srinagar, three militants hailing from south Kashmir were killed.

The police identified the three slain militants as Sabzar Ahmad of Lassipora, Pulwama; Syed Rubani of Nazneenpora, Shopian; and Towseef Ahmad Itoo of Nowpora Payeen, Pulwama.

A police spokesman said the three slain militants were affiliated with Al-Badr.

“The killed terrorists were wanted by the law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes, including an attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several cases were registered against them for their involvement in terror crime offences,” he added.

Sources said Towseef had joined militant ranks in July 2016, while Rubani and Sabzar took up arms in July 2018. Rubani studied in Army Goodwill School and was a known cricketer of his area in south Kashmir. Rubani’s cousin is an active militant.

Al-Badr has lost five of its members, including its operational commander, in the last ten days in two separate gunfights. The Al-Badr commander, Zeenat-ul-Islam, was killed in a gunfight in Kulgam district along with his associate on January 13.