Srinagar: A 17-year-old boy from Srinagar’s Khanyar who went missing 10 days ago among three LeT militants were killed in Pulwama encounter (military operation) on Sunday, IGP (Inspector General of Police) Vijay Kumar said.
Police have identified three militants as one from Pakistan and two locals.
"One of the three slain militants was identified as Arif Hazar alias Rehan, a deputy of LeT’s top commander Basit who is involved in killings of Inspector Parvez infront of a mosque in Srinagar’s Nowgam, SI Arshid Ahmad and a mobile shop owner in downtown," police said in a statement.
"Arif Hazar AKA Rehan – deputy of LeT’s top commander Basit killed in Pulwama Encounter. He was involved in killings of Inspector Parvez infront of mosque, SI Arshid & 1 mobile shop owner in downtown. Several FIRs were already logged against him in Srinagar city. Identification of other 2 terrorists yet to done," the statement reads.
While police is yet to officially identify the other two militants, news agency GNS quoted the IGP Kashmir saying they have been identified as ‘Haqqani’ of Pakistan and teenager Natish Shakeel Wani of Baba Demb area of Srinagar’s Khanyar, who went missing on April 16.
Natish had left for afternoon (Zuhr) prayers on the day and had been missing since.
While his family had issued appeal to him to return, police said he had joined militant ranks.
The trio was killed in Pahoo area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday afternoon.
"The military operation had ensued as a joint team of Police and army launched a cordon and search operation in the area amid reports about the presence of militants."
