Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Police are on the lookout for a two-wheeler that allegedly went missing from the site of an encounter between militants and security forces earlier this week.
The encounter took place as a two-wheeler carrying three suspected militants was intercepted at a check post on the outskirts of Srinagar Wednesday. One of the men reportedly opened fire, killing a CRPF trooper on the spot. Two of the suspected militants were killed in the ensuing gunbattle, while the third rider was injured and is currently in hospital, said police sources.
Police managed to recover some weapons from the spot but the vehicle went missing. According to sources, it is suspected that the two-wheeler was taken away by local residents present in the vicinity of the shootout.
A team has been deputed to locate the “missing” vehicle since it could prove a crucial piece of evidence. Among other things, police sources said, the vehicle may help establish “links within the insurgent network” active in the area.
Confirming the development, Srinagar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Haseeb Mughal said the two-wheeler could be a “scooty [scooter]”.
Also read: ‘He was shot at outside his shop’ — Family denies man hurt in J&K gunbattle is a militant
Third rider’s mobile phone recovered
The slain militants were identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Zia-u-Rehman Wani and Hizbul Mujahideen’s Khateeb Dass. The third man was identified as Umar Fayaz, but his family has disputed police’s claim that he is a militant. According to them, he is just a local resident who was shot by security forces outside his shop.
Police sources said Fayaz’s mobile phone has been recovered and his call detail records are being investigated.
At a press conference Friday, SSP Mughal said police will meet his family and investigate their claims.
Also read: How a phone call led to arrest of J&K cop Davinder Singh & two Hizbul terrorists