LeT Terrorist Killed In Kulgam Encounter 'Only A Cricketer' Allege Locals, Police Deny Claims

“Zakir was not a militant. Would a militant play cricket in public?" asked the killed person's brother-in-law.

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Srinagar: A military operation in South Kashmir's Kulgam district took down three Let Millitants namely Waseem Ahmad Bangroo, Shahnawaz Ahmad, and Zakir Bashir of Kulgam. The operation took place on 30 June 2021 in Chimmer Noorabad area of Kulgam. The operation was conducted by 9 Rashtriya Rifles CRPF and Kulgam police. 

The police claimed that Zakir Bashir "had recently joined the proscribed outfit (LeT)". On the contrary, the relatives of Zakir claim that he was a "cricketer and not a militant". 

“Two days prior to the operation, on 28th of June, Zakir was excited to play a cricket match in his locality. He told his sister to help him with the work in the orchards so that he could take off early,” said Farooq, Zakir's brother-in-law to Free Press Kashmir. 

The family claims that Zakir was alone in his house when he was "dragged and killed" by the police. It is being reported that Zakir played a cricket match at the Sahara Cricket Stadium on 28 June where he scored 28 runs. “Zakir was not a militant. Would a militant play cricket in public?” Farooq asked. 

The police, on the other hand, claim that Zakir was missing since 18 June and joined the LeT ranks after that. The police say that Zakir was carrying one AK-47 rifle, 3 pistols and a grenade. “In the ensuing operation, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Waseem Ahmad Bangroo resident of Redwani Kulgam, Shahnawaz Ahmad resident of Kilbal Shopian, and Zakir Bashir resident of Chimmer Kulgam. All the killed militants were affiliated with proscribed LeT terror outfit (self-claimed TRF),” the police statement said in a statement. 

After the reports of Zakir being a cricketer started surfacing on the internet, Kulgam Police came up with another statement that read: "Rumors are being spread by vested interests that Zakir Bashir, LeT terrorist killed in Chimmer on 30 June`21, wasn't a terrorist. Fact: he had joined terrorist ranks just a few days before he was eliminated. Don't believe in rumours. Legal action will be taken for spreading rumors."