The government on Saturday resisted from identifying the militant who escaped from a night-long cordon in Srinagar's Ahmadnagar on September 2. It, however, confirmed that eight policemen were injured in the gunbattle.
"Upon a specific input regarding the presence of a militant in Ahmadnagar, Soura, the police and security forces cordoned off the area and started search operations during which an unknown militant fired indiscriminately upon the search party and lobbed grenades from the house of one Mohammad Sultan Bhat," minister for rural development and panchayati raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar informed the House on Saturday.
Police sources had confirmed that a Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was trapped by the security forces. But the government has preferred to not disclose the name of the militant or the outfit till the investigations are complete.
He, however, confirmed the earlier reports that eight police personnel, including two officers, were injured. "In order to avoid any collateral damage and keeping in view that it is a built-up area, the police and CRPF exercised maximum restraint," he said.
On how the militant successfully escaped from the spot, the minister said, "The militant took advantage of the darkness. The search operation continued in the whole area, especially in the thick bushes and plants on the Anchar side, till dawn," he said.
{{/usCountry}}On how the militant successfully escaped from the spot, the minister said, "The militant took advantage of the darkness. The search operation continued in the whole area, especially in the thick bushes and plants on the Anchar side, till dawn," he said.
{{/usCountry}}An FIR under Section 307 of the RPC and Sections 7/27 of the Arms Act stands registered in the police station, Soura, and investigation is underway, he told the legislative assembly.