SHOPIAN: In an anti-terrorist operation in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, J&K Police and security forces killed a terrorist belonging to the banned terror group LeT, officials announced today. A police spokesman said that in the early hours of the morning, Police, Army (34RR), and CRPF (178Bn) jointly launched a cordon and search operation in the village Chotigam area of Shopian in response to specific information regarding the presence of terrorists in the area. The terrorist in hiding opened fire on the joint search party indiscriminately as they got closer to the suspected location during the search operation. The joint search party successfully retaliated, resulting in an encounter. “01 terrorist was killed in the ensuing encounter, and his body was found at the scene.He has been identified as Chek Cholan resident Bilal Ahmed Bhat, son of Ghulam Rasool Bhat, who is associated with the banned terrorist organisation LeT,” he said. According to police records, the terrorist who was killed was involved in multiple terror crime cases. One of these cases involved the killing of a local army personnel, Umer Fayaz, son of Fayaz Ahmad Parray, who lived in Sudsan Kulgam. Another involved throwing a grenade at non-local labourers in Hermain, which led to the immediate death of two labourers.Additionally, he was responsible for the deaths of two Kashmiri pandits who lived in Chotigam Shopian: Sunil Kumar Bhat, son of Sri G Bhat, and Pretimber Nath, son of Arjun Nath Bhat. He also participated in the attack on Chotigam resident Bal Krishan @Sonu. Additionally, he played a role in encouraging twelve young people from the area to enlist in the terrorist organisation. He was implicated in the murder of an arrested terrorist who was in charge of the search party during a CASO at Nowgam in 2022, in addition to other acts of terrorism.“From the scene of the encounter, incriminating materials, weapons, and ammunition, including an AK series rifle and three magazines, were found. To further investigate and look into their possible involvement in other terror crimes, all of the recovered materials have been added to case files. In this regard, an investigation has been started and a case has been filed with the police under the applicable legal provisions. The spokesman asked people to cooperate with the police until the area was thoroughly cleaned and cleared of any explosive materials.
