Jammu and Kashmir: Two terrorists behind Lt Ummer Fayaz's killing gunned down

Among the 8 terrorists that were killed by the security forces in separate encounters in south Kashmir today, two of them were involved in the killing of Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz last year. 

Security forces identified the two as Ishfaq Ahmad Malik and Riyaz Ahmad Thokar. 

The 22-year-old Army officer was abducted and killed by militants after he had gone to attend a relative's wedding in Shopian district of Kashmir. Preliminary investigations into the case had pointed to the role of Hizbul Mujahedeen. 

Investigations had revealed that Lieutenant Fayaz had two gunshot wounds on his body. The empty cartridges found near the spot  proved that the terrorists had used an INSAS rifle snatched from a security personnel to shoot at the army officer.

The murder of the young officer had sparked a country-wide outrage. 

In three separate encounters in several parts of the valley today, security forces gunned down 8 terrorists. Another terrorist surrendered before the security forces in Anantnag district.

While two army jawans lost their lives in the encounters, two civilians were also killed and dozens of others injured in clashes that broke out between protestors and security forces.

Security forces launched anti-militancy operations last night at three places simultaneously in south Kashmir following information about the presence of large number of militants there, a police official said.

(With PTI inputs)