6 terrorists belonging to Zakir Musa-led outfit killed in Pulwama encounter

In a blow to an Al-Qaeda affiliate terror group, police Saturday neutralised six militants, including a close associate of Zakir Musa, in south Kashmir's Awantipora area, police said.

"It was a smooth operation and all the six terrorists have been neutralised," said Swayam Prakash Pani, the Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range).

He said all the six were wanted in militancy-related activities.

Police said the slain militants belonged to the Ansar Ghazwatul Hind (AGuH), a terror outfit led by Zakir Musa and having allegiance to the banned Al-Qaeda.

A police spokesman said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Arampora village in Awantipora area of the south Kashmir's Pulwama district, following specific intelligence about the presence of militants there.

As the forces were conducting searches, militants opened fire on them, he said, adding the forces retaliated leading to a gunfight in which the militants were killed.

He said there was no collateral damage during the operation.

He said the slain terrorists have been identified as Soliha Mohammad Akhoon, a resident of Arampora Tral; Faisal Ahmad Khanday, a resident of Amlar; Nadeem Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Batagund, Tral; and Rasiq Mir, Rouf Mir and Umar Ramzan all residents of Dadsara, Tral.

IGP Pani said, "All the six terrorists were wanted by the law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities."