Srinagar: Arbaz Mir, one of the two terrorists killed during an encounter with the armed forces in Anantnag earlier in the day had killed earlier rifleman Hilal Ahmed after which he and the other terrorists fled to Kulgam , the army said in Srinagar on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Commander 2 sector RR Brigadier Anirudh Chouhan said that information was received about their movement Halkan Gali, Larnoo after which a joint team of army and Police launched an operation. Soon, a movement of terrorists was noticed after they were challenged by the troops. Following this, the terrorists opened fire ensuing a gun battle, which led to the killing of two of them.
US-made M-4 riffle recovered from slain terrorist
After the encounter, the armed forces also recovered US made M-4 riffle and an AK riffle from the slain terrorist, apart from other arms and ammunition. Also speaking on the occasion, Javaid Ahmed Matoo, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), South Kashmir, said that two terrorists were identified as Zahid Ahmed Reshi and Arbaz Ahmed Mir. While Reshi was a resident of Hassanpora Bijbehara, Mir was from Qaimoh, Kulgam.
He further said that both terrorists were involved in a series of attacks including labourers outside Jammu and Kashmir. Sharing further details, he added that the area of Halkan Gali was cordoned off earlier in the day. “Zahid Rashid was involved in the killing of non-local in April, after which he terrorist ranks. Arbaz, on the other hand, has been missing since 2018. Both of them were involved in several crimes.
‘Terrorists trying to show their presence’
When asked whether there was any other terrorist involved in the attack on Saturday, he added that there was input about only two, after which both were killed. On being asked the reason behind the increase in encounters and terror attacks, the DIG pointed out that terrorists received a major dent in since last few years and were now trying to show their presence.
