LeT commander among 3 killed in J&K encounter

The Army said the gunbattle started after midnight when a joint party of police, Rashtriya Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force started searches following inputs about the presence of terrorists in Pulwama’s New Colony.

Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander was among three terrorists killed in a gunfight with security forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama on Wednesday, police said. The exchange of fire was the latest in a series of gunbattles this month as security forces have intensified counter-insurgency operations and killed at least eight terrorists.

Villagers gather near a house which was partially damaged during a gunfight between security forces and militants, at Rajpora in Pulwama district on July 2. One security personnel and five militants were killed in the gun battle. (File photo)

Inspector general of police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar identified the LeT commander as Aijaz alias Abu Huraira and added that the two others, Javed Rather and Shahnawaz Gani, were local terrorists. “Congratulations to police and security forces,” said Kumar.

The Army said the gunbattle started after midnight when a joint party of police, Rashtriya Rifles, and the Central Reserve Police Force started searches following inputs about the presence of terrorists in Pulwama’s New Colony.

“As the troops were laying cordon at 1.20am, terrorists opened fire on the troops and tried to escape. Alert troops immediately returned fire and trapped the fleeing terrorists in a house,” said Army’s public relations officer Lt Col Emron Musavi. He said a call for surrender was given but the terrorists fired indiscriminately.

He added that two AK-47s, a pistol, and other “war-like stores” were recovered after eight-hour long operation.

Police said clashes between locals and security forces were also reported from the site.