2 militants killed, 4 security personnel injured: Police

Srinagar, Sep 28: Four security personnel including a Police officer were injured while two local militants were killed in a 12-hour encounter in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Monday, Police and Army said.

The encounter broke out in the Adigam Devsar area of Kulgam district early Monday morning after Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police, and CRPF cordoned off the area on specific information of the presence of militants in the area.

Police identified the killed militants as Aaqib Ahmad Shergojri, son of Nazir Ahmad of Khampora Sarai, Chadoora, Budgam, and Umais Wani of Chawalgam, Kulgam affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF) outfits.

“Encounter has started at Adigam Devsar area of #Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X soon after the encounter broke out.

In the initial exchange of Additional Superintendent of Police, Mumtaz Bhatii and three soldiers received minor injuries. They were removed to Base Hospital Army here where their condition is stated to be stable.

In the afternoon, Police said that two militants were killed.

“#Kulgam #Encounter Update: Two bodies recovered from the encounter site. Identification and affiliation are being ascertained. Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition recovered. Search in progress. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice,” Kashmir Zone Police said in another post on X.

“The security forces received information yesterday late at night regarding the movement of terrorists in the Arigam area. When the security forces reached, they were fired upon,” Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi told reporters. “The encounter began and is underway right now. Three security and one police personnel have minor injuries. They are stable. The operation is going on and it will take some time to conclude.”

“Two terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces in the ongoing Operation ARIGAM. Two x AK Rifles, ammunition and other war-like stores have been recovered from the terrorists.  A search of the area is underway and Operation is in progress.  #Kashmir @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps-Indian Army said in a post on X.

The Northern Command commended the J&K Police and the Army for the successful operation.

#LtGenMVSuchindraKumar, #ArmyCdrNC, commends the joint forces of #ChinarWarriors and @JmuKmrPolice for successfully neutralizing two terrorists and appreciates the excellent synergy among the forces. #NationFirst @ChinarcorpsIA @adgpi,” the Northern Command posted on X.

Addressing a joint news conference on Monday evening, Commander 2 Sector RR, Brigadier Anruddh Chauhan and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Kashmir Range (SKR) Javid Iqbal Mattoo termed the operation a significant and big jolt to militant organisations.

Brigadier Chauhan said, “After receiving pinpoint intelligence about the presence of terrorists, security forces zeroed in on them, and the operation lasted for about 12 hours, leading to the killing of two terrorists. The Adigam operation is a significant blow to the LeT outfit, and it will take time for them to recover. It is because of the local population that we were able to achieve today's goal.”

He said Aaqib Ahmad Shergojri, son of Nazir Ahmad of Khampora Sarai, Chadoora, Budgam was active since 2020 and Umais Wani of Chawalgam, Kulgam was active since 2022 and were dreaded.

“The operation continued for 12 hours. It is a significant and perfect example of synergy between different security forces,” Brigadier Chauhan said.

DIG South Kashmir said that two AK 47 Rifles were recovered from the encounter site.

“Killing of these two long-surviving terrorists is a big jolt to terrorist organisations,” he said. “They were wanted in scores of cases.”