Pulwama Gunfight: Lashker-e-Toiba Commander Nishaz Lone alias Khitab among 5 Militants killed

Pulwama(Mudasir Maqbool) : Top Lashker-e-Toiba Militant Commander Nishaz Lone alias Khitab among Five Militants were neutralized in Hanjan Rajpora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday. A Security official while talking with news agency said, 5 militants among Foreigner and top commanders killing a big success for security forces in Pulwama. Kashmir Zone Police in a tweet read as, District commander of proscribed terror outfit LeT Nishaz Lone @ Khitab & 01 Pakistani terrorist amongst total 5 killed militant in Pulwama encounter. A big success: IGP Kashmir. Two Soldiers from Army were also Injured in this Operation were evacuated to hospital where one among them Sucummbed to Injuries identified Havaldar Keshi and Another one said to on treatment and is stable.Nishaz Lone the Top Commander Reportedly joined Militant Organisation (LeT) on october November 2018. In order to stop rumour’s and maintain law and order in the area Internet services were snapped in whole PD Police District of Pulwama.The Operation started after Combined Forces recieved specific Input about Militant movement in the area. They launched Corden and Search operation in village as forces approached towards suspected spot Militants fired on forces triggering gunfight. The Operation ends with the killing of 5 LET Militants among Commander and one army personal also killed.The Identification of slain Militants are Nishaz Hussain Lone @ Khitab (district commander LeT) son of Manzoor Ahmed Lone, active since 2018, resident of Nageenpora Tral, Danish Manzoor Shiekh son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Sathergund Kakapora, Amir Wagay son of Ab Gani Wagay resident of Hanjan Payeen, Mehran Manzoor resident of Jamalatoo Srinagar & a foreign terrorist identified as Abu Rehan @Tawheed resident of Pakistan. All the killed militants were linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT,said, police in a statement
Here is police statement regarding Encounter
During the intervening night, acting on a specific input regarding presence of terrorists in Hanjin Rajpora area of Pulwama, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 44RR and 182/183 BN CRPF in the said area.During the search operation, the civilians were evacuated to safer places & as the presence of terrorists got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated leading to an encounter. Due to darkness the operation was suspended however the cordon remained intact throughout night. Today in the morning, repeated announcements were again made to hiding terrorists to surrender, but the terrorists fired on joint search party and the fire was retaliated. In the initial exchange of fire two Army jawans received gunshot injuries and were evacuated to hospital, however one among the injured succumbed and attained martyrdom.During the ensuing encounter, five terrorists were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. They have been identified as Nishaz Hussain Lone @ Khitab (district commander LeT) son of Manzoor Ahmed Lone, active since 2018, resident of Nageenpora Tral, Danish Manzoor Shiekh son of Manzoor Ahmad resident of Sathergund Kakapora, Amir Wagay son of Ab Gani Wagay resident of Hanjan Payeen, Mehran Manzoor resident of Jamalatoo Srinagar & a foreign terrorist identified as Abu Rehan @Tawheed resident of Pakistan. All the killed terrorists were linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT.As per police records, all the killed terrorists were part of groups involved in many terror crime cases and civilian atrocities. Arms, ammunition & other incriminating materials were recovered from the site of encounter. Pertinently 01 SLR rifle bearing no. 16047232 which belonged to JKP (IRP 11 Bn) and was snatched by terrorists in the year 2016 from guard of TV tower Lower Munda, regarding which a Case vide FIR No. 135/16 stands registered at PS Duroo Anantnag was also recovered from today’s encounter site. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes.IGP Kashmir congratulates Police & security forces for the big success & conducting successful operation in professional manner. In this connection police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive materials, if any.