Saahil Suhail
Kulgam, Mar 7: Army and police, in a joint operation, on late Sunday evening gunned down most wanted militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit in Buchara village of Kulgam district in an encounter.
Police sources identified the slain militant as Dawood Ahmad Sheikh alias Chhotu, son of Gul Mohammad Sheikh of Reshipora, Qaimoh near Kulgam. He was involved in some major terror strikes in the valley. He was said to be close associate of HM operational commander Burhan Wani. Intelligence agencies, police and army have termed his killing as a major success and set back to HM outfit. Sources said the encounter, that led to Dawood's killing, lasted just 15 minutes.
Sources said that shortly after police and army surrounded Buchroo village of Kulgam district late Sunday evening, they heard a few gunshots. It was learnt that the forces recovered Dawood's body and spread the area of the operation to surrounding Bugam village, as they had inputs about the presence of another militant.
However, the operation was called off later after it transpired that the second militant had escaped. Dawood had joined the outfit in 2014, sources said.
After he was buried, local youth clashed with forces. During clashes, one youth, identified as Adil Ahmad Mir of Batengoo, sustained injuries. He was shifted to SMHS here from District Hospital, Anantnag, for specialized treatment. Two policemen also sustained injures and were treated at District Hospital, Anantnag. |
