J&K ultra chief, deputy Shot

12 December 2001
The Statesman

Jammu: The chief of the Harkat-Ul-Jihad-i-Islami and his deputy were shot dead by the Army at Banihal Bypass, near Jawahar Tunnel, early this morning. The troops launched the operation after getting a tip-off that some Harkat militants were hiding near the tunnel. Seeing the soldiers, the terrorists opened fire and in the ensuing hour-long encounter, the ultras were killed. An Army spokesman said the Harkat chief, Gulzar Ahmed Tantrey, was a resident of Kawara (Banihal tehsil), while his deputy, Abdul Rashid Dangar, was from Kapran (Anantnag). A villager was killed and three others were injured when Pakistani Rangers fired along the International Border in Jammu last night. Several outposts and civilian areas were affected.