Al-Badr chief killed in encounter in Kashmir's Sopore

Search operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire on the security forces, who retaliated

Security forces in Kashmir achieved a major success on Tuesday by killing Gani Khawaja, chief commander of Al-Badr militant outfit in an encounter in Tujjer area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Sources said the gunfight erupted in Tujar after a joint team of J&K police and the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles cordoned off the area following information about the presence of militants there.

As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the forces, triggering off a gunfight, they said.

Inspector General Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said they have killed Al-Badr chief Gani Khawja in the encounter at Tujjar, 60 kms from here. “Khawaja had been active in north Kashmir for some time and was wanted in numerous militancy-related incidents. His killing is a big success,” he said.

Khawaja, who belonged to Kralgund area of northern Kupwara district, was earlier associated with Hizbul Mujahideen, police said. He was active for the last three years, mostly in north Kashmir.

Earlier, Kashmir Zone Police in a tweet said, “#SoporeEncounterUpdate: 01 #unidentified #terrorist killed. #Incriminating materials including #arms & ammunition recovered. Search going on. Further details shall follow.”