STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: A top Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district on Wednesday, police said.
“One of the oldest & top commander of HM #terror outfit Mehrazuddin Halwai @ Ubaid got neutralised in #Handwara #encounter. He was involved in several terror crimes. A big success,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar said in a tweet.
Pakistani terrorist killed as Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in Rajouri
Jammu: A Pakistani terrorist was gunned down as Army troops foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, a defence spokesman said.
Two soldiers were injured in the firefight with the terrorists who made an attempt to cross the LoC, official sources said.
“In the early hours today, a group of Pakistani terrorists made an attempt to infiltrate across the LoC in the Nowshera Sector of Rajouri,” the spokesman said.
Alert Army troops thwarted the infiltration bid by suitably employing an integrated surveillance grid along with domination by fire, and engaging the terrorists in a fierce firefight in which one terrorist was neutralised, he said, adding that his body has been recovered.
An AK 47 rifle, four magazines of AK 47 with ammunition and two hand grenades have been recovered, he said.
This action displays resolve of the Indian Army to thwart any misadventure on the Line of Control, the spokesman said.
According to sources, two soldiers were injured in the gunfight and have been hospitalised.
Security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation at Pazipora-Renan in the Handwara area of the district Wednesday morning following information about the presence of terrorists there, the police said.
The operation turned into an encounter after the security forces were fired upon.
Halwai was killed in retaliatory action by the security personnel, the police added.
According to police spokesperson, Handwara Police along with SSB during routine Naka checking regarding enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour at Watyen Handwara had stopped number of vehicles which were being checked. During checking, one pedestrian was behaving in a very suspicious manner, who was tactfully apprehended by the joint Naka party. During his personal search one grenade was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, he was immediately shifted to nearest police post for questioning. During questioning, he identified himself as Mehraj-ud-din Halwai @Ubaid Son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Khushal Mattoo Sopore, an active terrorist commander of proscribed terror outfit HM.
During further questioning, on his disclosure multiple CASOs were launched by Handwara Police, Army, CRPF and SSB in which at village area Pazipora Renan Kralgund Handwara, when CASO was started, Halwai tried to pin point the location where he had kept his arms and ammunition. Upon reaching at the disclosed hideout location, Halwai picked up his hidden AK-47 rifle and started firing indiscriminately upon the joint search party which led to an encounter. In the ensuing fire-fight he got killed.
Incriminating material, arms and ammunitions including one Ak-47, 04 Magazines, Power bank, blanket, medicines, etc were recovered from the said hideout (encounter site).
As per police records, Mehraj-ud-din Halwai was a categorized A++ terrorist and was group commander of proscribed terror outfit HM. He was active since 2012 and was involved in several killings in north Kashmir. He had a long terror crime history including attacks on Police/SFs and civilian atrocities. He was part of group involved in various terror crimes and several cases were registered against him. He was involved in martyrdom of SPO Mudasir Ahmad Dar of Untoo Hamam Sopore on July 28, 2013, attack on Sarpanch Khazir Mohd Parray of Krankshivan on July 26, 2013; killing of Sarpanch Habib Ullah Mir of Goripora Bomai, attack on Panch Mst Zoona Begum of Hardshiva Sopore, attack on police party at Hygam Sopore along with his associates on April 26, 2013, in which four policemen were martyred besides, decamped with three weapons of the assassinated policemen, killing of Hurriyat activists Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman of Iqbal Nagar Sopore and Khursheed Ahamd Bhat of Bomai Sopore, killing of ex-terrorists Mehraj-ud-Din Dar of Badambagh Sopore and Aijaz Ahmad Reshi of Mundji Sopore. Besides, he was involved in attacks on various establishments including attack on Hotel Heemal Srinagar.
The killed terrorist was well acquainted with modern means of communication by which he would communicate with other terrorists and plan and execute different terror activities on ground. He was instrumental in motivating and recruitment of youth into terrorist ranks besides was raising funds for promotion of terrorist activities.
In this connection police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated, the spokesperson added.