Police said that the slain terrorist were identified as Mohd Sultan Bhatt @ Noman, a self proclaimed District Commander of LeT outfit son of Abdul Ghani Bhatt of Naik Mohalla, Srawan, and John Mohd son of Mohd Khalil Attu of Hirkini, Koath.
Reports revealed that a specific input was received about movement of a group of LeT militants in Saranwan area of District Kishtwar which was further developed and zeroed. Subsequently, a joint operation was launched by J&K Police and Army during the night of 20, April, 2011 in Sarawan area, about 10 KM west of Kishtwar. At around 9.00 am on 21st April, 2011, on noticing the movement of security forces near a foot bridge in Sarawan, the terrorists opened heavy volume of fire. The security forces retaliated and a fire-fight ensued. The terrorists taking advantage of thick foliage and treacherous terrain tried to break contact and attempted to escape. However, they were challenged and again engaged in gun battle which continued for about 4 hours. In the ensuing gun battle two terrorists of LeT outfit were eliminated whereas two other terrorists are believed to have escaped from the site.
The slain terrorists had been part of much dreaded LeT group under Salman @ Habib Gujjar which is active in Keshwan area of Kishtwar. Noman had joined the group in the year 2009 whereas Jan Mohd had recently joined the outfit. One AK-27 Rifle, 02 Magazines and a grenade has been recovered from the killed terrorists till last reports came in. The other two terrorists namely Isaq Lone son of Gh. Mohd and Habibullah @ Salman, the Chief of LET Group, are believed to have escaped. Salman is believed to have been injured in the operation.
Salman group was responsible for the killing of one Gurjan Bibi mother of HC Qasim Din r/o Anjole Kishtwar for which case FIR No. 248/2010 u/s 302 RPC, 7/27 IAA had been registered on 21-11-2010 at P/S Kishtwar. HC Qasim Din is posted as I/C Police Picket Nagnigarh who was leading the Police Party in today’s operation as well. Apart from this killing, Salman group has been responsible for other acts of murder, sabotage and subversion for which many FIRs stand registered in Kishtwar and Doda districts.
LeT which had received a serious setback in district Kishtwar after elimination of Ishaq Bhat @ Atiq led group in Bonjwah, was in the process of revival under Salman group in Keshwan. With the elimination of these terrorists, LeT in Kishtwar district is on the verge of extinction. Salman group was regularly on the lookout for new recruits and was maintaining contact with their mentors across the border who had been directing them to disturb peace in the region. A massive search operation is continuing for tracing the other two twrrorists, one of whom is believed to be injured.
Inspector General of Police Jammu, Zone Dilbag Singh, have appreciated the good work done by Police and Security forces and said that they would continue such type of operations in future to frustrate the evil designs of anti national elements.
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