J&K: LeT Terrorist Involved In Lt Ummer Fayaz's Killing Gunned Down In Shopian Encounter

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chotigam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Chotigam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district.

Source : X/ANI

Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district witnessed an encounter on Friday resulting in the death of a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist linked to the 2017 abduction and murder of Army officer Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

Following intelligence indicating the presence of a terrorist in Chotigam village, security forces initiated a cordon and search operation early in the morning, the report said. Upon approaching the suspected area, the concealed terrorist opened fire on the security personnel, prompting a retaliatory response and ensuing encounter.

#WATCH | J&K: Encounter between security forces and terrorists underway in the Chotigam area of the Shopian district.

(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/2ZL3EgDTOR

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2024

"#Encounter has started at Chotigam area of #Shopian district. Shopian Police, Army & CRPF are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice," Kashmir Zone Police said on X.

#Encounter has started at Chotigam area of #Shopian district. Shopian Police, Army & CRPF are on the job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) January 4, 2024

IGP Kashmir VK Birdi told news agency ANI: "In this encounter, security forces neutralised LeT terrorist Bilal Bhatt. He was earlier an Over Ground Worker (OGW) who later joined LeT. He was involved in the killing of an Army officer and some minority killings. This is a good success for the police and security forces". 

#WATCH | On Shopian encounter, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi says, "In this encounter, security forces neutralised LeT terrorist Bilal Bhatt. He was earlier an Over Ground Worker (OGW) who later joined LeT. He was involved in the killing of an Army officer and some minority killings. This… pic.twitter.com/GW4aUcEkQy

— ANI (@ANI) January 5, 2024

The operation culminated in the neutralisation of the terrorist, identified as Bilal Ahmed Bhat from Chek Cholan, associated with the banned LeT organisation. Bhat was implicated in multiple terror-related activities, including the abduction and killing of Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, a 22-year-old officer from 2 Rajputana Rifles, who was attending a family wedding when the incident occurred in May 2017.

Shopian's Senior Superintendent of Police, Tanushree, told news ganey PTI about Bhat's connection to the FIR concerning Lieutenant Fayaz's murder, highlighting his transformation from an overground worker to a full-fledged terrorist.

Additionally, Bhat was implicated in the fatal grenade attack on non-local labourers in Hermain, resulting in two deaths. He was also linked to the killing of Kashmiri Pandits Sunil Kumar Bhat and injury of Pretimber Nath, both residents of Chotigam Shopian. Moreover, he targeted local Bal Krishan, known as Sonu, from the same region, the PTI report said. 

The terrorist was notorious for recruiting local youths into terrorist groups, having enlisted 12 individuals during his tenure. Further, Bhat was involved in the killing of a captured terrorist during a 2022 operation in Nowgam, the report said. 

The encounter site yielded significant evidence, including an AK series rifle, three magazines, and other ammunition. Authorities have secured these materials for investigation to determine their involvement in other terrorist activities, it added. 

Earlier, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Hadigam area of Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday night, news agency ANI reported, citing officials.

The officials had further stated that the encounter in the Hadigam area of Kulgam district is currently underway. Police, Army, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officials are on the spot. "Encounter has started at Hadigam area of Kulgam district. Kulgam Police, Army and CRPF are on the job," Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X.