Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Saturday issued a statement after the killing of five militants in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

In the interest of our readers, The Kashmir Press reproduces the statement verbatim:

“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 militants in the area.

During the search operation, militants fired on the search party. Initially the civilians were moved away from the site of encounter to safer locations. Security Forces then engaged the militants in an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, 05 militants were killed. This was a group of militants 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 militants 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 militants offences besides recruitment bid in the locality.

They were affiliated with proscribed militant 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.”