Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the Pulwama encounter between security forces and militants.
The militant outfit said two of its men were killed during a gunfight with government forces on Monday night at Samboora village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
JeM spokesperson Mohammad Hassan Shah in a statement issued to a local news agency identified the slain militants as Noor Muhammad Tantray of Tral (Pulwama) and a guest “mujahid” Arsalaan.
“Indian Army’s 50 RR and police task force Awantipora laid a siege of Samboora village at 11pm on Monday which led to a gunfight with Jaish-e-Muhammad resulting in martyrdom of two mujahideen,” the militant outfit said. “The Indian forces also destroyed the house where from the mujahideen fought.”
JeM said Noor Muhammad Tantray was its Operational Chief who had joined the outfit in year 2000. “He (Tantray) was arrested in 2003 and was languishing in various Indian jails for 12 years. His escaping from prison in 2015 was a big blow to Indian forces as he reorganised and strengthened the outfit,” the statement said.
“Indian forces made every possible effort to re-arrest Noor Muhammad but failed. Today, Moulana Noor sahib achieved martyrdom while giving a tough fight to Indian forces.”
Paying tributes to slain Noor Muhammad, JeM said the “Jihad” will continue till the “mission of martyrs” is accomplished. (GNS)