Militant killed in Kulgam 'just a cricketer' locals allege, police denied

Ground Report | Srinagar: Militant killed in Kulgam; A military operation in South Kashmir's Kulgam district killed three late militants namely Waseem Ahmed Bangroo, Shahnawaz Ahmed, and Zakir Bashir of Kulgam. The operation took place on 30 June 2021 in Chimmar Noorabad area of ​​Kulgam. The operation was carried out by 9 Rashtriya Rifles CRPF and Kulgam Police.

Militant killed in Kulgam "cricketer not a militant"

Police claimed that Zakir Bashir had "recently joined the Prohibited Organization (LeT)." In contrast, Zakir's relatives claim that he was a "cricketer and not a militant".

“Two days before the operation, on June 28, Zakir was excited to play a cricket match in his locality. He asked her sister to help him work in the gardens so that he could leave early,” Zakir's brother-in-law Farooq told Free Press Kashmir.

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The family claims that Zakir was alone in their house when he was "dragged to death" by the police. It is being told that on June 28, Zakir played a cricket match at the Sahara Cricket Stadium where he scored 28 runs. Zakir was not a terrorist. Will any terrorist play cricket in public?" Farooq asked.

Police claim Zakir was missing and joined Lashkar

At the same time, the police claim that Zakir was missing since June 18 and joined Lashkar after that. Police say that Zakir was in possession of an AK-47 rifle, three pistols, and a grenade. “In the ensuing operation, three terrorists were killed and their bodies were recovered from the encounter site. They have been identified as Waseem Ahmed Bangru, a resident of Redwani Kulgam, Shahnawaz Ahmed, a resident of Kilbal Shopian, and Zakir Bashir, a resident of Chimmar Kulgam. All the terrorists killed were affiliated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist organization (self-proclaimed TRF).

After news of Zakir being a cricketer surfaced on the internet, Kulgam police gave another statement which read: "Rumours are being spread by vested interests that the LeT terrorist who was killed in Chimmar on June 30'21 was not Zakir Bashir. A terrorist. Fact: He had joined terrorist ranks just days before it was eliminated. Don't believe in rumours. Legal action will be taken for spreading rumours."

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“Rumors are being spread by vested interests that Zakir Naik, 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 rumors. Legal action will be taken for spreading rumors,” tweeted Kulgam police.

Mehbooba questions legality of Kulgam encounter

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said the security forces should be held accountable as legitimate questions are being raised on the security forces, especially over the death of a 17-year-old boy during an encounter in Kulgam on Wednesday.

He said that "the Indian government should come clean on the murder of a youth in Kulgam". (Militant killed in Kulgam)

“Encounters happen daily in Jammu and Kashmir. But when legitimate questions are raised, the security forces should be held accountable. The parents of the 17-year-old minor who was killed in the Kulgam encounter claim that he was an innocent civilian. The Indian government should come clean on these allegations,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted on Wednesday, questioning the encounter in Chimmar village in which three terrorists were killed according to the police.

“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.

“Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. In this connection, police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and an investigation has been initiated. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared off of all the explosive material, if any,” the statement said.

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