Srinagar October 9
Two Pak militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad, one of them a “chief operational commander” for Kashmir, were killed in an encounter near Sopore in Baramulla district today.

Those killed have been identified as Zaheer Ahmad, alias Pasha, from Haripora, Pakistan, who had been chief operational commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad for Kashmir, the police said here.

Another militant was identified as Saifullah, alias Faisal, operational commander for Lolab, who was a resident of Faisalabad in Pakistan, the police said.

Two AK-47 rifles, seven AK magazines, 180 AK rounds, one wireless radio set and two pouches were seized from the site of encounter. Pasha had been active in the valley since 1998 and was reportedly involved in various militant activities.

Acting on specific information about the presence of militants in the house of Fayaz Ahmad Ganie in Warpora village, near Sopore, the police, 22RR and 179 CRPF Battalion launched a joint operation in the wee hours today and killed two militants in the ensuing encounter, the police said here.