September 15 (KNO) : Police and Security Forces in the intervening night jointly launched a search operation in Chowgam area of Qazigund Kulgam based on credible inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. During the search operation, terrorists fired on the search party.
Initially the civilians were moved away from the site of encounter to safer locations. Security Forces then engaged the terrorists in an encounter. In the ensuing encounter, 05 terrorists were killed. This was a group of terrorists involving proscribed outfits HM and LeT.
The killed terrorists were identified as Gulzar Ahmad Padder alias Saif resident of Adijan Kulgam, Faisal Ahmad Rather alias Dawood resident of Yamrach Kulgam, Zahid Ahmad Mir alias Hashim resident of Okey Kulgam, Masroor Molvi alias Abu Darda resident of Fatehpora Anantnag and Zahoor Ahmad Lone alias Rehman Bhai resident of Nagnad Noorabad Damhal Hanjipora.
Gulzar Paddar was a close associate of Altaf Kachroo and was involved in a series of terror attacks including killing of five police personnel at Pambay last year along with two bank employees. He was also involved in the killings of SPO at Krewan Chidder in Kulgam. Besides he was involved in looting police guards at Damhaal and weapon snatching cases reported across Kulgam and many other bank robbery cases attempted in the area. Zahid of Okey village was wanted for his involvement in the killing of policeman Fayaz Ahmad of Zainapora on the day of Eid.
Faisal was involved in the killing of Policeman Gowhar Ahmad who was posted in Shopian last year. Zahoor @ Rehman and Mansoor were involved in series of terror offences besides recruitment bid in the locality. They were affiliated with proscribed terror outfits LeT and HM. Arms and ammunition were also seized from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the instant matter.