Srinagar: A military operation in Kulgam district of South Kashmir 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.
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 terrorist”.
“Two days before the operation, on June 28, Zakir was excited to play a cricket match in his locality. He asked his sister to help him work in the gardens so that he could leave early,” Zakir’s brother-in-law Farooq told Free Press Kashmir.
The family claims that Zakir was alone in their house when he was “dragged to death” by the police. It is being told that Zakir played a cricket match on 28 June at Sahara Cricket Stadium where he scored 28 runs. Zakir was not a terrorist. Will any terrorist play cricket in public?” Farooq asked.
On the other hand, 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 to 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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