Two militants of The Resistance Front (TRF) were killed during a pre-dawn anti-militancy operation in the outskirts of Srinagar on Saturday.
"The slain terrorists were identified as Ikhlaq Ahmad Hajam from Kujer Frisal in Kulgam and Adil Nisar Dar Malangpora in Pulwama. Both were linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba's TRF outfit," Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said.
According to the police, the duo was trapped following a specific input "generated by the police" and Rangpora Zakura was cordoned off.
"During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired indiscriminately upon the search party which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter," the police said.
Also read: Militants kill policeman, wife, daughter in Pulwama
According to the police, Hajam was active since June, 2021 and Dar was active since August, 2021. "Both the killed terrorists were categorized terrorists and part of groups involved in several terror crime cases including attack on security forces. They were also instrumental in motivating the gullible youth to join terror folds and reviving the over ground workers' network," the police said.
The police said Hajam was the mastermind behind the recent killing of Head Contable Ali Mohammad at Hasanpora Anantnag on January 29. He was also involved in an IED blast on Qaimoh-Yaripora road on January 18.
"Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition, including two pistols and five hand grenades, were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation," the police said.
(With inputs from PTI)
