Srinagar, Mar 28 (IANS): Two terrorists killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday night have been identified as one each of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, police said on Sunday.
A police statement said that on a specific input generated by Shopian police regarding presence of terrorists in Wangam area of the district, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by police, 34 Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF's 178 Bn CRPF in the area on Saturday.
During the search operation, the presence of terrorists was ascertained and they were given opportunity to surrender, but however, opened indiscriminate fire upon the security personnel, which was retaliated. During the initial exchange of fire, three Army soldiers sustained bullet injuries and were evacuated to hospital for treatment, but one of them, identified as Pinku Kumar, subsequently succumbed.
"In the ensuing encounter, two categorised terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Anaytullah Sheikh, son of Mohd Amin Sheikh, resident of Ramnagri Shopian, affiliated with proscribed terror outfit HM, and Adil Ahmad Malik, son of Nazir Ahmad Malik, resident of Danwathpora Kokernag, affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT (TRF)," police said.
Police said as per its records, terrorist Sheikh was active since 2018 and has recently infiltrated back from Pakistan, while Malik was active since September 1, 2020. They were involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on security forces and civilian atrocities.
"Arms and ammunition including an M4 rifle, an AK 47 rifle, pistol and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes," police said.
"The last rites of the killed terrorists shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites."