Srinagar – Police on Saturday said “mastermind” behind 2019 Lethpora IED blast was among two militants killed in a gunfight in forest area of Namibian and Marsar of Dachigam forest in Pulwama district on Saturday.
“On a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of (militants) in the forest area of Namibian and Marsar, general area of Dachigam forest, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Awantipora Police and Army in the area,” a police spokesman said.
During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to the encounter.
In the ensuing encounter two militants were killed, he said. One of the militants has been identified as “top most” Pakistani militants Mohammad Ismal Alvi alias Lamboo alias Adnan of Jash-e-Mohammad. “However, the identification of the other killed militants is being ascertained.”
As per police records, the Lamboo was A++ categorized militant and figured among the list of most wanted militants operating in the valley.
“He was a highly trained militant especially expert in making of IED. He was instrumental in planning and executing attacks on security establishments and civilian killings,” the spokesman said, adding, “He was the mastermind and main accused in the February 2019 Lethpora Fidayeen attack.”
He was also involved in the killing of SPO Fayaz Ahmed, his wife and daughter in Tral, recently, the spokesman said.
Besides, the spokesman said he was also instrumental in motivating and recruiting the youth to join militant folds and also motivating local youth for stone pelting and other activities.
Moreover, the spokesman said that Lamboo was carrying out militant activities in police district Awantipora, Pulwama and Anantnag.
“He was a close associate of Abdul Rehman alias Fauji alias Idrees Bhai of Multan Pakistan who alongwith two local associates killed in an encounter at Kangan Pulwama on 3 June 2020.”
The police said that Lamboo was trying to re-establish and strengthen JeM outfit and utilize Awantipora especially Kakpora and Pampore area of Pulwama as a “hot bed” for receiving new militant groups and transporting them to the other parts for carrying out militant attacks.
He said Lamboo was closely associated with Jaish chief Masood Azhar and had infiltrated into this side of Kashmir in the year 2017 through Sakargadh sector.
“He had also visited several training camps of JeM in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the spokesman said.
He had earlier escaped from many encounters or cordon and search operations including at Doniwari Chadoora Budgam on 3 March last year, Parigam Jagir Pulwama on 19 November 2020 and Kalenvan, Bijbehara Anantnag on 7 July 2021.
It is worth to mention here that there were 19 accused militants and OGWs involved in Lethpora attack case.
“Out of 19 militants, seven including Adil Dar, Mudasir Khan, Umar Farooq, Kamran, Qari Yasir,Sajjad Bhat and today Lamboo were killed in encounters, seven militants or OGWs have been arrested and five are still absconding.”
The spokesman said incriminating materials besides arms and ammunition including one AK-rifle, one M-4 Carbine, a Glock pistol and Chinese Pistol were recovered from the site of encounter.
Meanwhile, in a joint press conference Corps commander 15 corps, IGP Kashmir and GoC Victor Force congratulated the joint teams of Police and Army for the “big success”.
