One Hizb militant was killed in an encounter in Sopore today. The militant was involved in number of civilian killings including land lords of mobile towers.
On a specific information Sopore police along with 32 RR launched a cordon and search operation in Ladoora, Rafiabad in the jurisdiction of Police Station Sopore. During the search militant present in a house fired upon the joint search party. The fire was retaliated. In the ensuing encounter one militant identified as Riyaz Ahmad resident of Brath Kalan, Sopore was killed while two Army Jawans were injured. One of them later on succumbed to his injuries.
The slain militant was affiliated with Lashkar-e-Islam a breakaway group of HM. The said militant was involved in a number of killings in Sopore and adjoining areas. He was involved in threatening and terrorizing the land lords of mobile towers and mobile franchise owners. This year the slain militant was involved in the killing of a BSNL franchise in June, two employees were injured in this incident. A number of FIR’s stand registered against the militant in different Police Stations.
Riyaz Ahmed Mir @ Gosha son of Mohammad Ashraf Mir resident of Brath Kalan Sopore joined HM outfit last year. He was operating along with Imtiyaz Kandoo @ Fayaz and Adil Mir of HM.
On 20-12-2014 he along with Mehraj Halwai and Adil Mir killed Bomai Sarpanch namely Ghulam Mohammad Bhat son of Mohammad Jamal Bhat resident of Bomai. An FIR No. 93/2014 under section 302 RPC, 7/27 IA Act was lodged in Police Station Bomai.
He was involved in grenade blast in Dangerpora orchards in which three civilians got killed. In this connection FIR No. 167/2014 under section 04/05 Exp. Sub. Act dated 12-10-2014 stands registered in Police Station Sopore. He was involved in grenade attack on police and Army at Kupwara crossing.
On 21-02 -2014 he killed one civilian Waseem Malla son of Mehraj-ud-din Malla resident of Bagh-i-Islam. An FIR No. 25/2014 under section 302 RPC 7/27 A Act dated 21-02-2014 stands registered in Police Station Tarzoo.
On 25-05-2015 subject along with other accomplices was involved in the killing of Mohammad Rafiq resident of Pohrupeth Handwara. A case FIR No. 103/2015 under section 302, 307 RPC 7/27 IA act was registered in Police Station Sopore. The slain militant was involved in terrorizing landlords of mobile towers. In this regard FIR No. 100/2015 under section 7/27, 506 RPC in Police Station Sopore was lodged.
On 26-05-2015 he along with Adil Mir killed Ghulam Hassan of Dooru Sopore, landlord of a cellular tower. A case FIR No. 105/ 2015 under section 302 RPC, 7/27 IA Act stands registered in Police Station Sopore. He was also involved in killing of one Hurriyat activist Sheikh Altaf-ur-Rehman son of Mohammad Yousuf Sheikh resident of Iqbal Nagar Sopore at bus stand Sopore on 09-06-2015. A case FIR No. 115/2015 dated 09-06-2015 stands registered in Police Station Sopore in this regard.
Riyaz was also involved in the killing of one Hurriyat activist Khursheed Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Nabi Bhat resident of Bomai Sopore outside his home on 09-06-2015. A case FIR No. 36/2015 on 12-06-2015 in Police Station Bomai was registered in this regard. He was involved in the killing of one ex-militant Mehraj-ud-din Dar son of Mohammad Ahsan Dar resident of Badambagh Sopore on 14-06-2015. He was involved in the killing of ex-militant Aijaz Ahmad Reshi son of Abdul Rahim Reshi resident of Mundji Sopore on 15-06-2015.
One AK 47 rifle, 02 AK Magazines and AK rounds were recovered from the encounter site.