August 29: Police on Wednesday said that the two militants killed at Muniward area of Khanabal in District Anantnag in the early morning hours were involved in various cases. While Altaf Kachroo was an active militant since 2007 and one of the most important militant commanders for Hizbul Mujahideen, Umar Wani, was a year old militant and had recently given slip to forces during Battamaloo encounter. 

Police spokesman said that during the searches, militants fired on the search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. In the ensuing encounter two militants were killed and were identified as Altaf Ahmad Dar @Kachroo @ Moin of Hawoora Mishipora and Umar Rashid Wani of Khudwani Kulgam.

“Altaf Ahmed Dar @ Kachroo @ Moin son of Late Gh. Mohd Dar resident of Hawoora, Mishipora District Kulgam was currently operating as a one of the most important militant Commander of proscribed terror outfit HM .He had a long history of criminal records since 2007,” police said.

Altaf, considered as a long time surviving militant was involved in ‘several attacks on the forces and killings of civilians and policemen in the area.’

Some of the prominent cases include rifle snatching from policemen at Yaripora BSNL Tower. FIR No 208/7 under section 307, RPC, 7/27, Arms Act; FIR No 226/2010 under section 20 ULA (P) Act; FIR No 239/2010 under section 307,RPC 7/27 Arms Act; FIR No 15/2010 under section 307, 392 RPC 7/25 Arms Act in PS Yaripora; FIR No 21/2011 under section 7/25 Arms Act P/S Zadibal Srinagar; FIR No 174/15 under section 307, 392 RPC , 7/25 Arms Act PS Kulgam etc. Pertinently during the 2016 unrest he along with Yasin Itoo @Gaznavi played a major role in instigating people.

“Umar Rashid Wani son of Abdul Rashid Wani resident of Khudwani Kulgam became active since last year. He was involved in many civilian atrocities and attacks on security establishments. He was also involved in killing o policemen at Anantnag. Further in Srinagar city Umar had carried an attack on CRPF and also escaped from the recent Batmaloo encounter site,” police spokesman said.

Several cases were registered against him including 145/17 under section 302, 7/27 Arms Act of Police Station Anantnag in which two JKP cops were martyred and 173/18 under section 302, 307, 34 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 ULA of Police Station Batamaloo. Though this group was a part of HM module they had worked in close coordination with other proscribed outfit for unleashing terror.

He said that arms and ammunition was also recovered from the site of encounter.