LeT Commander Uzair Khan among 2 militants killed in Anantnag gun battle: Police

Srinagar: Two militants including the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Uzair Khan were found dead, taking the toll in the anti-militancy operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district to six. While the gun battle in the forest area of Gadole Kokernag is over, security forces continued their search on the seventh day on Tuesday as they suspect that the body of another militant may be lying in the area

“LeT commander Uzair Khan who was holed up in Gadole Kokernag woods has been killed and his body has been retrieved”, Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar told media persons at Kokernag on Tuesday.

Kumar said it was Khan who was behind the killing of an Army Colonel, a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of J&K on the first day of the gunfight Wednesday.

On Sunday, police retrieved a charred body from the forests, who they suspected was a militant. Police then conducted DNA profiling of the body and Uzair’s family. And today police confirmed the slain was Khan.

28-year-old Uzair, a resident of Nagam village of Kokernag, had gone missing in July last year and days later the family was informed by police that he had joined the Lashkar ranks, officials said.

He came into the limelight only after two decorated Army officers, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, his company commander, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzamil Bhat, were killed and two other soldiers were injured in a gun battle.

On Monday a body of a soldier, who was missing at the encounter site, was found. The deceased was identified as Sepoy Pardeep Singh, a resident of Punjab.

Meanwhile, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha paid tributes to Sepoy Pardeep Singh.

“Paid homage to our braveheart Sep Pardeep Singh, martyred during anti-terror operation in Anantnag. I bow to his exemplary courage and sacrifice,” Office of LG J&K posted on X.

Army’s Northern Commander Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi also paid his tributes to the soldier.

“LtGenUpendraDwivedi, ArmyCdrNC & All Ranks DhruvaCommand offer deepest condolences & salute the braveheart Sepoy Pardeep Singh who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, in OPGarol, Anantnag,” Army’s Northern Command posted on X on Tuesday. “IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.” UNI